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LUTHER 



A H Y M N I S T. 



REV. BERNHARD PICK. 



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PHILADELPHIA: 
LUTHERAN BOOK STORE. 

18 7 5. 

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(zJLcJ^ 



.USP5 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875 

By G. W. FREDERICK, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, atWashington, t>. C. 




IiHrat? i 

TO 

THE MEMORY OF HIM 

WHO 

"BY HIS SONGS HAS DONE MORE HARM TO THE ROMANISTS 
THAN BY HIS SERMONS." 



(iii) 



PEE FACE. 



The little volume which we offer to all Evangelical 
Christians is a compilation from various sources. 
This work of compilation has been a labor of love, 
the recreation of leisure hours from graver duties. 
Luther's songs are history, and the history of the 
Reformation cannot be understood without them. 
Says Mr. Coleridge : " Luther did as much for the 
Reformation by his hymns as by his translation of 
the Bible. In Germany the hymns are known by 
heart by every peasant ; they advise, they argue 
from the hymns, and every soul in the church praises 
God, like a Christian, with words which are natural 
and } r et sacred to his mind." And a modern writer 
remarks : " These hymns made a bond of union 
among men who knew little of Creeds and Articles. 
While theologians were disputing about niceties of 
doctrine, every devout man could understand the 
blessedness of singing God's praises in good honest 
German, instead of gazing idly at the Mass, or list- 
ening to a Latin litany. The children learned Luth- 

( o) 



PREFACE. 



er's hymns in the cottage, and martyrs sang them 
on the scaffold." 

Where some historical facts are connected with a 
hymn a few words have been said. Some hymns, 
which are best known, we have given in more than 
one version, especially the " Hymn of the Reforma- 
tion," which will be found in sixteen different ver- 
sions. With regard to this hymn we will also state 
that there is a Hebreiv translation of the same, in a 
collection of hymns translated from the German 
and English into Hebrew, entitled, " Songs of Zion," 
for the use of the Hebrew Christians at Jerusalem 
and London. 

The sources whence the translations for this col- 
lection have been drawn are given under the head- 
ing of each hymn. In the arrangement we followed 
the order of the Christian Year. 

And now go forth, thou little book, and show the 
Christians how Luther believed, prayed, and sang ; 
for 

" False masters now abound, whose songs indite ; 
Beware of them, and learn to judge them right: 
Where God builds up His Church and Word, hard by 
Satan is found with murder and a lie." 

(Luther.) 

B. Pick. 

KOCHESTER, N. Y. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Preface, . 5 

Biographical Sketch, 9 

Advent, 31 

Nun komm der Heiden Heiland (two versions), 31-35 

Christmas, 36 

Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, ... 36 
Yom Himmel kam der Engel Schaar, ... 39 
Christum wir sollen loben schon, .... 41 
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (two versions), . 42-46 

Epiphany, 47 

Was furcht'st du Feind Herodes sehr, ... 47 

Easter, 49 

Jesus Christus unser Heiland der den Tod, . 49 

Christ lag in Todesbanden (two versions), . 50-55 

Whitsuntide, 56 

Komm Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott (six versions), 56-66 
Komm Gott, Schoepfer, Heiliger Geist, ... 67 
Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist, ... 70 

The Trinity, 73 

Der du bist drei in Einigkeit, .... 73 

Gott der Vater wohn uns bei (two versions), . 74, 75 

A Song concerning the Holy Christian Church, 76 
Sie ist mir lieb die werthe Magd, .... 76 

The Triumph of Faith, 78 

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (sixteen versions), 78-106 

The Church, 107 

Es spricht der Unweisen Mund (two versions), 107-110 
Ach Gott vom Himmel siehdarein (two versions), 111-114 
War' Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, . . . 115 

(7 ) 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Grace, 116 

Nunfreuteuch,lieben Christen g'mein(two versions), 116 

Wohl dem, der in Gottesfurcht steht, . . . 122 

Es wolt uns Gott genaedig sein, . . . 124 

Law, 126 

Mensch willt du leben seliglieh, .... 126 

Diess sind die heiligen zehn Gebot, . . . 127 

The Creed, 131 

Wir glauben all an einen Gott, 7 131 

The Lord's Prayer, 133 

Yater unser im Himmelreich (two versions), 133-138 

Prayer, 139 

Verleih uns Frieden gnsediglich, .... 139 

Baptism, 140 

Christ unser Herr zum Jordan ging, . . . 140 

Repentance, 144 

Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir (four versions), 144-150 

The Lord's Supper, 151 

Jesus Christus, unser Heiland der von uns, . . 151 
Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet, . . . .153 

Death, 156 

Mitten wir im Leben sind, 156 

Mit Fried und Freud fahr ich dahin, . . . 159 

Praise, 161 

Jesaja, dem Propheten, das geschah, . . . 161 

The Te Deum, 162 

Herr Gott, dich loben wir, 162 

Miscellaneous, 166 

Erhalt uns Herr, bei deinem Wort, . . . 166 

Nun treiben wir den Fabst heraus, . . 167 

Ein neues Lied wir heben an, . . . 168 

Index of First German Lines, .... 175 

Index or First English Lines, .... 177 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



' Iapeti de stirpe satum Doctore Luther 
Majorem nobis nulla propago fuit." 



Doctor Martin Luther, the bold and uncom- 
promising Reformer, the Homer of Germany, was 
born at Eisleben, in Saxony, during a visit of his 
parents to that city, November 10th, 1483. His 
father, Hans Luther, a poor miner, who had pre- 
viously resided in the village of Mohra, removed 
to Mansfeld the following year ; and here it was 
that Martin received the first rudiments of educa- 
tion. At the age of fourteen he was sent to the 
Franciscan school at Magdeburg, where he used to 
sing in the streets for his bread, as his father was 
unable to support him. A year after, he went to 
Eisenach, and thence to the University of Erfurt, 
where, in 1503, he received his first degree, and 
two years later, having obtained the degree of 

(9) 



10 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

Doctor of Philosophy, he delivered lectures on the 
physics and ethics of Aristotle. Here, at Erfurt, 
it was that he for the first time found the Bible. 
His father had destined hirn to the study of the 
Law ; but the impression produced on him by the 
fate of his friend Alexis, who was struck dead by 
lightning while walking by his side, on their road 
from Mansfeld to Erfurt, uniting with the effect of 
his early religious education, induced him to de- 
vote himself to the monastic life, and he entered 
the monastery of the Augustines in 1505, submit- 
ting patiently to all the penances which the supe- 
rior of the order imposed upon novices. " Of a 
truth," he said, " I was a pious monk, and kept the 
rule of my order more strictly than I can tell. If 
ever a monk got to heaven b}^ monkery, I was de- 
termined to get there. I strained myself to the 
very utmost, and tormented and plagued my body 
with fastings, vigils, prayers, and other exercises, 
far more than my bitterest enemies can torment me 
now. I, and others too, have toiled to the utmost, 
with a deadly sincerity, to bring our hearts and 
consciences to rest and peace before God, and yet 
could never find that same peace amid such horrible 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. \\ 

darkness." " For I knew Christ no more, save as 
a severe judge, from whom I sought to escape, and 
yet could not." In this distress of mind he was 
comforted by the Vicar-General Staupitz, who an- 
nounced to him for the first time the great founda- 
tion-truth, that not in works and penance, but in 
"love toward God, and faith toward the Lord Jesus 
Christ," true repentance consists. " Seek not con- 
version in emaciation and suffering, but love Him 
who first loved thee." 

From this time he was a zealous preacher and 
professor of theology. In 1510 he visited the court 
of Pope Leo X, at Home. After his return, in 
1512, he was made Doctor in Theology. In 1517 
he published his "Theses," which, as Myconius, a 
contemporary, says, " flew over Germany as if the 
angels of God had been its messenger and carried 
them to all men's eyes." In 1518 Luther had a 
controversy with Dr. Eck, and the same year met 
the cardinal-legate Cajetan, at Augsburg. In 1520 
came his open breach with the Pope, when he burnt 
the papal bull of excommunication, the " Bulla 
contra errores Martini Lutheri et sequacium." 

In 1521 we see our hero at Worms, boldly con- 



12 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

fronting that august assemblage at the Diet. All 
eyes are centred upon the marvellous and intrepid 
monk, albeit slight traces of emotion are observed 
in his deportment, as he finds himself unsupported 
in the midst of so much pomp and pageantry of 
state ; but soon he recovers his equanimity, all 
agitation subsides, and 

"There he stands in superhuman calm, 
Concentred and sublime ! Around him pomp, 
And blaze imperial, haughty eyes, and words, 
Whose tones breathe tyranny, in vain attempt 
The heaven-born quiet of his soul to move ; 
Crowned with the grace of everlasting Truth, 
A more than monarch among kings he stood !" 

[Evenings with the Sacred Poets, p. 90.) 

Lucas Cranach's picture represents Luther as he 
stood there, so lone and strong, with his great fire- 
heart, — a new Prometheus, confronting the Jove of 
the sixteenth century and the German Olympus. 
" Here I stand ; I cannot otherwise. God help me ! 
Amen." 

In 1522 we see Luther again at Wittenberg. In 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 13 

1525 he married Catharine von Bora. Until the 
year 1546 he lived at Wittenberg, when he died on 
a journey, at Eisleben, at the age of sixty-three. 

His great distinction of course lies in his great 
work of Reformation ; but this subject does not 
come within the range of the present work. His 
poetical talent was shown in the department of 
sacred poetry. When, in 1526, a complete new 
German liturgy came out, and the want of German 
psalms and hymns in place of the Latin hymns and 
sequences was felt, Luther at once set to work to 
supply it. 

He was intensely fond of both music and poetry, 
and was himself a master of vigorous and simple 
German. What he thought of music may be seen 
from what he said many years before Shakspeare 
wrote the famous passage about " the man that 
hath no music in himself:" " There is no doubt 
that many seeds of splendid virtues are to be found 
in such souls as are stirred by music ; and them 
who have no feeling for it I hold no better than 
stocks and stones. If any man despises music, as 
all fanatics do, for him I have no liking ; for music 
is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. 



14 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

Thus it expels the Devil and makes people cheerful. 
Then one forgets all wrath, impurity, sycophancy, 
and other vices. Next to theology," — that was with 
Luther the music of the spheres, — " I give music 
the highest and most honorable place; and every 
one knows how David and all saints have put their 
divine thoughts into verse, rhyme, and song." To 
his friend Spalatin he writes : " It is my intention, 
after the example of the prophets and the ancient 
fathers, to make German psalms for the people ; 
that is, spiritual songs, whereb}^ the Word of God 
may be kept alive among them by singing. We 
seek, therefore, everywhere for poets. Now, as you 
are such a master of the German tongue, and are 
so mighty and eloquent therein, I entreat you to 
join hands with us in this work, and to turn one of 
the psalms into a hymn, according to the pattern 
(£. e., an attempt of my own) that I here send you. 
But I desire that all newfangled words from the 
Court should be left out ; that the words may be 
all quite plain and common, such as the common 
people may understand, yet pure and skilfully han- 
dled ; and next, that the meaning should be given 
clearly and graciously, according to the sense of 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 15 

the psalm itself." (Winkworth, Christ. Sing., p. 107, 
seq.) 

Luther, besides writing some original hymns, 
translated a number of the grand old Latin hymns, 
which he counted among the good things that God's 
power and wonderful working had kept " alive amid 
so much corruption," and purified and adapted old 
German poems to the service of the temple. Thus 
the old ditty — 

" O thou naughty Judas ! 
What hast thou done, 
To betray our Master, 

God's only Son ! 
Therefore must thou suffer 

Hell's agony, 
Lucifer's companion 
Must forever be. 

Kyrie eleison !" 

Luther changed to the following: 

" 'Twas our great transgression 
And our sore misdeed 
Made the Lord our Saviour 
On the cross to bleed. 



16 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

Not then on thee, poor Judas, 

Nor on that Jewish crew, 
Our vengeance dare we visit, — 

We are to blame, not } r ou. 
Kyrie eleison ! 

( All hail to thee, Christ Jesus, 

Who hungest on the tree, 
And bor'st for our transgressions 

Both shame and agony. 
Now beside thy Father 

Reignest thou on high ; — 
Bless us all our lifetime, 
Take us when we die ! 
Kyrie eleison V 1 

( Christ. Exam. , 1860, p. 239, seq. ) 

Altogether Luther wrote about thirty-six hymns 
(more are frequently ascribed to him, but with 
doubtful accuracy), and which may be divided as 
follows : 

(a.) translations of latin hymns. 

1. Jesus Christus unser Heiland. From the Latin of John 
Huss : Jesus Christus nostra Salus. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, 17 

2. Yerleih uns Frieden gnadiglich. From the Latin Da 

pacem domine (sixth or seventh century). 

3. Christum wir sollen loben schon. From the Latin of 

Colius Sedulus : A solis ortus cardine. 

4. Der du bist drei in Einigkeit. From the Latin, O lux 

beata trinitas (fifth century). 

5. Herr Gott, dich loben wir. From the Latin, Te Deum 

laudamus (fourth century). 

6. Komm, Gott, Schopfer, heil. Geist. From the Latin of 

Gregory the Great : Yeni creator spiritus, mentes. 

7. Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott. From the Latin, 

Yeni sancte spiritus, reple (fourteenth century). 

8. Nun komm der Heiden Heiland. From the Latin of 

Ambrose: Yeni redemptor gentium. 

9. Was fiircht'st du Feind Herodes. From the Latin of 

Colius Sedulus: Ho^tis Herodis impie. 

10. Wir glauben All' an Einen Gott. From the Latin, Pa- 

trem credimus. 

(B.) AMPLIFICATION- OF GERMAN HYMNS FROM 
THE LATIN. 

11. Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ. From the Latin of Greg- 

ory the Great: Grates nunc omnes reddamus ; to 
which he added six verses. 

12. Mitten wir im Leben sind. From the Latin of Notker : 

Media vita in morte sumus \ to which he added two 
verses. 

2 



18 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

(C.) CORRECTION AND REVISION OF GERMAN HYMNS. 

13. Christ lag in Todesbanden. A revision and enlargement 

of the old " Christus ist uferstanden." 

14. Gott der Vater, wohn uns bei. A correction of an old 

hymn of the fifteenth century. 

15. Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet. A revision of a hymn 

of the sixteenth century, sung at high mass. 

16. Nun bitten wir den heil. Geist. An enlargement of a 

hymn of the thirteenth century, to which he added 
three other verses. 

(D.) hymns based upon latin psalms. 

17. Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein. Psalm 12: Salvum 

me fac domine. 

18. Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir. Psalm 130: De pro- 

fundis clamavi ad te. 

19. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott. Psalm 46 : Deus noster 

refugium. 

20. Es spricht der unweisen Mund. Psalm 14: Dixit insipi- 

ens in corde suo. 

21. Es wollt uns Gott gnadig sein. Psalm 67: Deus mise- 

reatur nostri. 

22. War' Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit. Psalm 124: Nisi 

quia dominus. 

23. Wohl dem, der in Gottesfurcht steht. Psalm 128 : Beati 

omnes qui timent dominum. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 19 

(e.) hymns based upon passages of the bible. 

24. Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam. Matthew 3. 

25. Diess sind die heiligen zehn Gebot. The Decalogue. 

26. Jesaja, dem Propheten, das geschah. Isaiah 6. 

27. Mensch willst du leben seliglich. The Decalogue. 

28. Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin. Luke 2. 

29. Sie ist mir lieb, die werthe Magd. Kevelation 12. 

30. Vater unser im Himmelreich. Matthew 6. 

31. Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her. Luke 2. 

(f.) original hymns. 

32. Ein neues Lied wir heben an. 

33. Erhalt uns Herr, bei deinem Wort. 

34. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland. 

35. Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein. 

36. Yom Himmel kam der Engel Schaar. 

These different hymns may be arranged in the 
following chronological order : 

A.D. 1523. Nos. 17, 18, 32, 35. 



a 


1524. 


ti 


1,3,6,7,8, 10,11,12,13,14,15,16, 
20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 34. 


a 


1526. 


a 


26. 


a 


1529. 


a 


2, 5, 19. 


<t 


1535. 


it 


29, 31. 


it 


1539. 


u 


30. 


u 


1541. 


tt 


9 (Dec. 12), 24,33. 


ii 


1543. 


it 


4, 36. 



20 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

Luther's first hymn was, it is believed, called 
forth by the martyrdom of two young Christian 
monks, who were burned alive, at Brussels, by the 
Sophists, in 1523 : 

" Flung to the heedless winds, or on the waters cast, 
Their ashes shall be watched, and gathered at the last; 
And, from that scattered dust, around us and abroad, 
Shall spring a plenteous seed of witnesses for God. 
Jesus hath now received their latest living breath, 
Yet vain is Satan's boast of victory in their death. 
Still, still, though dead, they speak, and, trumpet-tongued, 

proclaim 
To many a wakening land the one availing Name J" 

These majestic stanzas, quoted in D'Aubigne's 
History of the Reformation, form indeed, in them- 
selves and by themselves, though only a fragment, 
a sweet and soul-stirring poem. They speak to the 
heart like a trumpet. But it is not just the trumpet 
Luther blew. It is a little more silvery than that 
was. To change the figure, these lines (which are 
rather a transfusion than a translation) represent 
their original somewhat as do those ideal pictures 
of places painted after a lapse of time by artists of 
genius, and called memories. We can only hope to 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 21 

give, ourselves, a hint of the picture and the music; 
indeed, it seems impossible to combine in our mod- 
ern speech the strong antique simplicity of the 
original, with its singular melody and harmony. 

It was in the very autumn when Hans Sachs, 
who sat beating time on his lapstone to the music 
of the blessed revival, came forth with his " Night- 
ingale," — who, soaring above the clouds, announced 
the return of day to a world so long slumbering in 
darkness, or walking in a dim, dubious, malignant 
lunar light, — that Luther, hearing of the good con- 
fession the two Augustinian monks had witnessed 
at Brussels, sent forth his hymn with a letter to 
the churches in those parts, in the beginning of 
which he says that the word is fulfilled again: 
" The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the 
singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle 
is heard in the land." 

The hymn, consisting of over a hundred lines, 
begins : 

" A brave new song aloud we sing, 
To tell the wondrous story, 
"What God hath done, our Lord and King, 
And sound his praise and glory. 



22 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

g At Brussels, down in Netherland, 

The Lord of gifts and graces 
Hath well revealed his mighty hand, 
By two young boys, whose faces 
Now shine in heavenly places." 

Then, after detailing, in precisely this measure, 
the particulars of the trial, condemnation, and 
execution, it concludes with the stanzas which we 
referred to as having been so freely paraphrased, 
and which somewhat literally run as follows : 

11 Their ashes will not rest; world-wide 

They fly through every nation. 
No cave nor grave, no turn nor tide, 

Can hide the abomination. 
They whom the foe with murderous flame 

Had burnt to death, — upspringing, 
Lo ! in his ears they shout his shame, 

Till every land is ringing 

With their triumphant singing. 

" Let Satan's lie go round; — 'tis vain ; 
Soon all his arts shall fail him ; 
God, in His Word, hath come again, — 
With thankful hearts we'll hail him. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 23 

Hard by stands Summer at the door ; 
Grim Winter's chain is broken ; 

The tender flowers put forth once more : 
These things His hand betoken 
Who'll do what he hath spoken." 

(Christ. Exam. , 1860, p. 243, seq.) 

Luther's hymns, compared with Wesley's thou- 
sands, are rather small in number ; " but they are 
to be weighed and not counted, and weighed, too, 
in the scales of an historian's and a Christian be- 
liever's living sympathy." 

Spangenberg, in his Preface to the " Cithara 
Lutheri," in 1545, speaks thus of Luther's hymns : 
"One must certainly let this be true and remain 
true, that, among all Meister-singers, from the days 
of the Apostles until now, Lutherus is and always 
will be the best and most accomplished ; in whose 
hymns and songs one does not find a vain or need- 
less word. All flows and falls in the sweetest and 
neatest manner, full of spirit and doctrine, so that 
his every word gives outright a sermon of its own, 
or, at least, a singular reminiscence. There is 
nothing forced, nothing foisted in or patched up, 



24 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

nothing fragmentary. The rhymes are easy and 
good, the words choice and proper, the meaning 
clear and intelligible, the melodies lovely and 
hearty, and in summd all is so rare and majestic, 
so full of pith and power, so cheering and comfort- 
ing, that, in sooth, you will not find his equal, much 
less his master." (Christ. Exam., p. 240.) 

On the 18th of February, 1546, at 2 a.m., this 
hero ended his earthly career, and was buried in 
the castle church ol Wittenberg. Over his grave 
his own great battle-hymn, " Ein feste Burg ist 
unser Gott," was sung amid sobs and tears. 

Luther is represented as a man of low stature 
but handsome person, with a " clear, brave coun- 
tenance, " lively complexion, and falcon eyes. An- 
tonio Yarillas (Liber Hist, de Haeres) saj's: "Nature 
gave him an Italian head upon a German bod}' ; 
such was his vivacity and diligence, his cheerfulness 
and health." His voice was clear and penetrating, 
his eloquence overpowering. Melancthon, on be- 
holding his picture, exclaimed, " Fulmina erant 
singula verba tua." Another contemporary said of 
him, that he was a man "to stop the wrath of God." 
Another calls him the third Elias. He was a hus- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 25 

band and a father, fond of society, of a free and 
jovial nature, much given to music, himself a com- 
poser and an able performer on the flute. A man 
of singular temperance and great industry. He 
throve best on hard work and spare diet. An easy 
life made him sick. As to his character, a man 
without guile, open, sincere, generous, obliging, 
patient, brave, devout. " He was not only the 
greatest," says Henry Heine, " but the most German 
man of our history. In his character all the faults 
and all the virtues of the Germans are combined 
on the largest scale. Then he had qualities which 
are very seldom found united, which we are accus- 
tomed to regard as irreconcilable antagonisms. He 
was, at the same time, a dreamy mystic and a prac- 
tical man of action. His thoughts had not only 
wings but hands. He spoke and he acted. He 
was not only the tongue but the sword of his time. 
Moreover, he was at the same time a scholastic 
word thresher and an inspired, God-intoxicated 
prophet. When he had plagued himself all day 
long with his dogmatic distinctions, in the evening 
he took his flute and gazed at the stars, dissolved 
in melody and devotion. He could scold like a 



26 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

fishwife, and he could be soft, too, as a tender 
maiden. Sometimes he was wild as the storm that 
uproots the oak, and then again he was gentle as 
the zephyr that dallies with the violet. He was 
full of the most awful reverence and of self-sacrifice 
in honor of the Holy Spirit. He could merge him- 
self entirely in pure spirituality ; and yet he was 
well acquainted with the glories of this world, and 
knew how to prize them ; and out of his mouth 
blossomed the famous saying, — 

ci i yy er nicbt liebt Wein, Weiber, und Gesang, 
Der bleibt ein Narr sein Lebenlang.'* 

" He was a complete man, I would say an abso- 
lute man, one in whom matter and spirit were not 



* " Who loves not wine, and wife, and song, 
Kemains a fool his whole life long." 

It may be true that this couplet has been framed out of 
the spirit and expressions of the great Keformer, and that 
in a rough and somewhat overstated manner they express 
certain qualities of his marked nature ; but they are nowhere 
to be found in Luther's preserved writings, speeches, or 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 27 

divided. To call him a spiritualist, therefore, would 
be as great an error as to call him a sensualist. 
How shall I express it ? He had something origi- 
nal, incomprehensible, miraculous, such as we find 
in all providential men, — something awfully naive, 
blunderingly wise, sublimely narrow; something 
invincible, demoniacal." (Hedge, Prose Writers of 
Germany.) 

letters, and cannot be authenticated as from his lips. Some 
modern uses made of them are as untrue to his character 
and sentiments as they are to correct Christian morals. As 
Luther would have meant such words, had he used them, 
there is much truth, wisdom, and just humanity in them; 
but as some have taken them, under pretended authority of 
his name, they are thoroughly reprehensible and unchris- 
tian. — The Publisher. 




28 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



A PREFACE TO ALL GOOD HYMN-BOOKS. 

By Dr. Martin Luther, 1543. 



Lady Musick speaketh. 

Of all the joys that are on earth 

Is none more dear nor higher worth, 

Than what in my sweet songs is found 

And instrument of various sound. 

Where friends and comrades sing in tune, 

All evil passions vanish soon ; 

Hate, anger, envy, cannot stay, 

All gloom and heartache melt away ; 

The lust of wealth, the cares that cling, 

Are all forgotten while we sing. 

Freely we take our joy herein, 

For this sweet pleasure is no sin, 

But pleaseth God far more, we know, 

Than any joys the world can show ; 

The Devil's work it doth impede, 

And hinders many a deadly deed. 

So fared it with King Saul of old ; 

When David struck his harp of gold, 

So sweet and clear its tones rang out, 

Saul's murderous thoughts were put to rout. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 29 

The heart grows still when I am heard, 
And opens to God's Truth and Word ; 
80 are we "by Elisha taught, 
Who on the harp. the Spirit sought. 

The best time o' the year is mine, 
When all the little birds combine 
To sing until the earth and air 
Are filled with sweet sounds everywhere; 
And most the tender nightingale 
Makes joyful every wood and dale. 
Singing her love-song o'er and o'er, 
For which we thank her evermore. 
But yet more thanks are due from us 
To the dear Lord who made her thus, 
A singer apt to touch the heart, 
Mistress of all my dearest art. 
To God she sings by night and day, 
Unwearied, praising Him alway ; 
Him I, too, laud in every song, 
To whom all thanks and praise belong. 

(C. Winkworth, Christian Si?igers, p. 1.) 




bbent 



Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland. 

This hymn, which has been freely reproduced by 
Luther, is, as Dr. Schaff says, " the best of the 
Ambrosian hymns " (except the Te Deum, which is 
older), full of faith, rugged vigor, austere simplicity, 
and bold contrasts, but of objectionable taste in the 
third stanza, which is here smoothed down. St. 
Augustine, in his " Confessions," testifies to the 
effect of the hymns and music introduced into the 
church of Milan by Ambrose, his spiritual father. 
" How did I weep, O Lord ! through thy hymns and 
canticles, touched to the quick by the voices of thy 
sweet-attuned church ! The voices sank into mine 
ears, and the truths distilled into my heart, whence 
the affections of my devotions overflowed; tears ran 
down, and I rejoiced in them." The translation 
which we subjoin is from the Latin Veni Redemptor 
gentium, which is as happy as if it were a transla- 
tion from the German. 

( 31 ) 



32 ADVENT. 



(Schaff, "Christ in Song," p. 9.) 

thou Redeemer of our race ! 

Come, show the Virgin's Son to earth : 
Let every age admire the grace ; 

Worthy a God th} T human birth ! 

'Twas by no mortal will or aid, 
But by the Holy Spirit's might. 

That flesh the Word of God was made, 
A babe yet w T aiting for the light. 

Spotless remains the Virgin's name, 
Although the Holy Child she bears ; 

And Virtue's banners round her flame, 
While God a temple so prepares.* 

* Luther retaining the harsh features of the original- 

Alvus tumescit virginis, 

Claustra pudoris permanent, 

Yexilla virtutum inicant, 

Versatur in templo Deus, 
translates thus : 

Der jungfrau le b schwanger ward, 
Doch bleibt keuschheit rein bewahrt, 
Leucht' hervor manch tugend schon, 
Gott da war in seinem thron. 



NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND. 33 

As if from Honor's royal hall 

Comes forth at length the Mighty One, 

Whom Son of God and Man they call, 
Eager His destined course to run. 

Forth from the Father's bosom sent, 
To Him returned, He claimed his own ; 

Down to the realms of death He went, 
Then rose to share the eternal throne. 

An equal at the Father's side, 

Thou wear'st the trophy of Thy flesh ; 

In Thee our nature shall abide 

In strength complete, in beauty fresh. 

With light divine Thy manger streams, 

That kindles darkness into day; 
Dimmed by no light henceforth, its beams 

Shine through all time with changeless ray. 



(J. C. Jacobi, "Psalmodia Germanica," I, p. 1.) 

Now the Saviour comes indeed 
Of the Virgin-Mother's seed, 
To the wonder of mankind, 
By the Lord himself designed. 



34 ADVENT. 



Not begot like men unclean, 
But without the stain of sin ; 
In our nature God was born 
Us to save, who were forlorn. 

Though the Virgin was with child, 
Chastity proved undefiled ; 
All the female virtues here 
Were inthroned, for God was there. 

From His chambers forth He went, 
Left the glorious element ; 
And like God and hero-man 
He his blessed course began. 

Coming from his Father's breast, 
He returned to Him at last; 
He, descending into hell, 
Triumphed without parallel. 

Thou who, Godlike every way, 
Carry Thy victorious swa}^ 
In the flesh to such a length 
That we gain Thy godly strength. 



NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND. 35 

Lord, thy crib shines bright and clear, 
Lightens night both far and near : 
Let no darkness cloud this light, 
That our faith be always bright. 

Glory to the God of love ! 
Glory to His Son above ! 
Glory to the Holy Ghost ! 
Blessed Three, forever most. 




^ristutas. 



Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her. 

A CHILD'S SONG AT CHRISTMAS CONCERNING THE LITTLE 
CHILD JESUS. 

This carol Luther wrote for his little boy Hans, 
when the latter was five years old, and it is still 
sung from the dome of the Kreuzkirche in Dresden, 
before daybreak on the morning of Christmas Day. 
It refers to the custom then and long afterwards 
prevalent in Germany, of making at Christmas-time 
representations of the manger with the infant Jesus. 
Luther, however, abridged his original composition 
in 1543, and thus we find in most of the German 
hymn-books the abridged form, commencing, u Yom 
Himmel kam der En 'gel Schaar." The translation 
which we subjoin is the original form, as it was 
written by Luther for his son Hans. 

(C. Winkworth, "Lyra Germ.," I, p. 12.) 

From heaven above to earth I come, 
To bear good news to every home ; 
Glad tidings of great joy I bring, 
Whereof I now will say and sing. 

( 36 ) 



VOM HIMMEL HOCH DA KOMM ICH HER. 37 

To you, this night, is born a child 
Of Mary, chosen mother mild ; 
This little child, of lowly birth, 
Shall be the joj^ of all your earth. 

? Tis Christ our God, who far on high 
Hath heard your sad and bitter cry ; 
Himself will your salvation be, 
Himself from sin will make you free. 

He brings those blessings long ago 
Prepared by God for all below ; 
Henceforth His kingdom open stands 
To you, as to the angel bands. 

These are the tokens ye shall mark, 
The swaddling-clothes and manger dark; 
There shall ye find the young child laid, 
By whom the heavens and earth were made. 

Now let us all, with gladsome cheer, 
Follow the shepherds, and draw near 
To see this wondrous gift of God, 
Who hath His only Son bestowed. 



38 CHRISTMAS. 



Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes ! 
Who is it in } 7 on manger lies ? 
Who is this child, so young and fair ? 
The blessed Christ-child lieth there ! 

Welcome to earth, thou noble Guest, 
Through whom e'en wicked men are blest ! 
Thou com'st to share our misery, 
What can we render, Lord, to Thee ! 

Ah, Lord, who hast created all, 
How hast Thou made Thee weak and small, 
That Thou must choose Thy infant bed 
Where ass and ox but lately fed ! 

Were earth a thousand times as fair, 
Beset with gold and jewels rare, 
She yet were far too poor to be 
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee. 

For velvets soft and silken stuff 
Thou hast but hay, and straw so rough, 
Whereon, thou King, so rich and great, 
As 'twere Thy heaven, art throned in state 



VOM HIMMEL KAM DER ENGEL SCHAAR. 39 

Thus hath it pleased Thee to make plain 
The truth to us poor fools and vain, 
That this world's honor, wealth, and might, 
Are nought and worthless in Thy sight. 

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, 
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, 
Within my heart, that it may be 
A quiet chamber kept for Thee. 

My heart for very joy doth leap, 
My lips no more can silence keep ; 
I too must sing with joyful tongue 
That sweetest ancient cradle-song — 

Glory to God in highest heaven, 
Who unto man His Son hath given ! 
While angels sing with pious mirth 
A glad New Year to all the earth. 



Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schaar. 

(Massie, " Spiritual Songs," p. 7.) 

To shepherds, as they watched by night, 
Appeared a troop of angels bright ; 
Behold the tender Babe, they said, 
In yonder lowly manger laid. 



40 CHRISTMAS. 



At Bethlehem, in David's town, 
As Micah did of old make known ; 
'Tis Jesus Christ, your Lord and King, 
Who doth to all salvation bring. 

Rejoice ye, then, that through His Son 
God is with sinners now at one ; 
Made like yourselves of flesh and blood, 
Your brother is th ? eternal Good. 

What harm can sin and death then do ? 
The true God now abides with you : 
Let Hell and Satan chide and chafe, 
God is your fellow — ye are safe. 

Not one He will nor can forsake 
Who Him his confidence doth make : 
Let all his wiles the Tempter try, 
You may his utmost powers defy. 

You must prevail at last, for ye 
Are now become God's family : 
To God forever give ye praise, 
Patient and cheerful all your days. 



CHRISTUM WIR SOLLEN LOBEN SCHON. 41 

Christum wir sollen loben schon. 

(From the Latin, "A solis ortus.") (Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 9.) 

Now praise we Christ, the Holy One, 
The spotless virgin Mary's Son, 
Far as the blessed sun cloth shine, 
E'en to the world's remote confine. 

He, who Himself all things did make, 
A servant's form vouchsafed to take, 
That He as man mankind might win, 
And save His creatures from their sin. 

The grace of God th' Almighty Lord 
On the chaste mother was outpoured ; 
A virgin pure and undefiled 
In wondrous wise conceived a child. 

The holy maid became th' abode 
And temple of the living God, 
And she, who knew not man, was blest 
With God's own Word made manifest. 

The noble mother bare a Son, 
For so did Gabriel's promise run, 
Whom John confest and leapt with joy, 
Ere yet the mother knew her boy. 



42 CHRISTMAS. 



In a rude manger, stretched on hay, 
In poverty content He lay ; 
With milk was fed the Lord of all, 
Who feeds the ravens when they call. 

Th' angelic choir rejoice, and raise 
Their voice to God in songs of praise ; 
To humble shepherds is proclaimed 
The Shepherd, who the world hath framed. 

Honor to Thee, Christ, be paid, 
Pure offspring of a holy maid, 
With Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
Till time in time's abyss be lost. 



Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ. 

(Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 11.) 

All praise to Jesus' hallowed name, 
Who of virgin pure became 
True man for us ! The angels sing, 
As the glad news to earth the} 7 bring, 
Hallelujah ! 



GELOBET SEIST DU, JESU CHRIST. 43 

The everlasting Father's Son 
For a manger leaves His throne ; 
The mighty God, th' eternal Good, 
Hath clothed Himself in flesh and blood. 
Hallelujah ! 

He whom the world could not inwrap 
Yonder lies in Mary's lap ; 
He is become an infant small, 
Who by His might upholdeth all. 
Hallelujah ! 

Th' eternal Light, come down from heaven, 
Hath to us new sunshine given ; 
It shineth in the midst of night, 
And maketh us the sons of light. 
Hallelujah ! 

The Father's Son, God everblest, 
In the world became a guest ; 
He leads us from this vale of tears, 
And makes us in His kingdom heirs. 
Hallelujah ! 



44 CHRISTMAS. 



He came to earth so mean and poor, 
Man to pity and restore, 
And make ns rich in heaven above, 
Equal with angels through His love. 
Hallelujah ! 

All this He did to show His grace 
To our poor and sinful race ; 
For this let Christendom adore 
And praise His nam for evermore. 
Hallelujah! 



(J. C. Jacobi, " Psalmodia Germanica," I, p. 6.) 

Due praises to th' incarnate Love, 
Manifested from above ! 
All men and angels now adore 
What we nor they have seen before. 
Hallelujah ! 

The blessed Father's only Son 
Chose a manger for His throne : 
In this our nature's flesh and blood 
Was clothed God the eternal Good. 
Hallelujah ! 



GELOBET SEIST DU, JESU CHRIST. 45 

Who had the world at His command 
Wants his mother's swaddling-band ; 
Th' Almighty Word vouchsafed to be 
A little child like thee and me. 
Hallelujah ! 

Th' eternal Splendor shows His sight, 
Gives the world its saving light, 
And drives the clouds of sin away, 
To make us children of the day. 
Hallelujah ! 

The Father's Son, by nature God, 
Took amongst us His abode, 
And opened through this world of strife 
A way to everlasting life. 

Hallelujah ! 

In poverty He came on earth 
To enrich us by His birth, 
And make us heirs of endless bliss, 
Like all the darling saints of his. 
Hallelujah ! 



46 



CHRISTMAS. 



All this was done that He might prove 
What 's the greatness of his love ; 
Which makes all Christians join to sing 
Praise to our new-born God and King. 
Hallelujah 1 




'piping. 



Was furcht'st du Feind Herodes sehr. 

This hymn is from the Latin of Coelius Sedulus, 
" Hostis Herodes impie." 

(Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 13. ) 

Why, Herod, unrelenting foe, 
Doth the Lord's coming move thee so ? 
He doth no earthly kingdom seek 
Who brings His kingdom to the meek. 

Led by the star, the wise men find 
The Light that lightens all mankind ; 
The threefold presents which they bring 
Declare him God, and Man, and King. 

In Jordan's sacred waters stood 

The meek and heavenly Lamb of God, 

And He who did no sin, thereby 

Cleansed us from all iniquity ! 

(47) 



48 EPIPHANY. 



And now a miracle was done : 
Six waterpots stood there of stone ; 
Christ spake the word with power divine, 
The water reddened into wine. 

All honor unto Christ be paid, 
Pure offspring of the holy maid, 
With Father and with Holy Ghost, 
Till time in endless time be lost. 




VLBttX. 



Jesus Christus unser Heiland der den Tod. 

(Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 15.) 

Jesus Christ to-day is risen, 

And o'er Death triumphant reigns ; 

He has burst the grave's strong prison, 
Leading Sin herself in chains. 
Kyrie eleison. 

For our sins the sinless Saviour 
Bare the heavy wrath of God ; 

Reconciling us, that favor 

Might be shown us through His blood. 
Kyrie eleison. 

In His hands He hath forever 

Mercy, life, and sin, and death ; 
Christ his people can deliver, 
All who come to Him in faith. 
Kyrie eleison. 

4 ( 49 ) 



50 EASTER. 



Christ lag in Todesbanden. 

This hymn is based upon a Latin hymn of the 
fifteenth century, " Surrexit Christus hoclie" (Dan- 
iel I, 341 ; and Wackernagel I, 175-177, who gives 
five forms); also upon an old Easter hymn, " Christ 
ist erstanden." 

(C. Winkworth, " Lyra Gerraanica," I, p. 87.) 

In the bonds of death He lay, 

Who for our offence was slain, 
But the Lord is risen to-daj^, 

Christ has brought us life again ; 
Wherefore let us all rejoice, 
Singing loud, with cheerful voice. 
Hallelujah ! 

Of the sons of men was none 

Who could break the bonds of death ; 

Sin this mischief dire had done, 
Innocent was none on earth ; 

Wherefore Death grew strong and bold, 

Would all men in his prison hold, 
Hallelujah ! 



CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN. 51 

Jesus Christ, God's only Son, 

Came at last our foe to smite ; 
All our sins away hath done, 

Done away Death's power and right ; 
Only the form of Death is left, 
Of his sting he is bereft, 

Hallelujah ! 

That was a wondrous war I trow, 

When Life and Death together fought ; 

But Life hath triumphed o'er his foe, 
Death is mocked and set at nought ; 

'Tis even as the Scripture saith, 

Christ through death has conquered Death, 
Hallelujah ! 

The rightful paschal lamb is He, 
On whom alone we all must live. 

Who to death upon the tree 

Himself in w T onclrous love did give. 

Faith strikes His blood upon the door, 

Death sees, and dares not harm us more : 
Hallelujah ! 



52 EASTER. 



Let us keep high festival, 

On this most blessed day of days, 
When God his mercy showed to all ! 

Our Sun is risen with brightest rays, 
And our dark hearts rejoice to see 
Sin and night before Him flee : 
Hallelujah ! 

To the Supper of the Lord 
Gladly will we come to-day ; 

The word of peace is now restored, 
The old leaven is put away. 

Christ will be our food alone, 

Faith no life but His doth own : 
Hallelujah ! 



(J. C. Jacobi, "Psalmodia Gennanica," I, p. 21.) 

Christ was to death abased, 

And given for our transgression ; 

But by His being raised 

Regained us life's possession. 



CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN. 53 

This should make our souls rejoice 
To praise the Lord with heart and voice 
In singing hallelujah. 

Hallelujah! 

None yet was found of Adam's race 

Could conquer Hell and Devil ; 
Sin had defaced the former grace, 

None innocent, but evil ; 
Death was thus entailed on all, 
Which got dominion by the fall, 

And kept us in his bondage. 
Hallelujah! 

But Jesus, God's eternal Son, 

Is come for our salvation, 
The cause of death He has undone, 

And stopped its devastation ; 
Ruined all his right and claim, 
And left him nothing but the name, — 

His sting is lost forever. 

Hallelujah! 

How strange and wondrous was this fray ! 
Life was with Death surrounded ; 



54 EASTER. 

The Lord of life here got the clay, 

Death's kingdom was confounded. 
This the Scripture doth record, 
That Death was conquered with his sword, 
And led at last in triumph. 
Hallelujah! 

Here is the very paschal Lamb 

By God himself appointed ; 
The prophets have foretold the same, 

That this was the Anointed. 
With His blood our heart is signed, 
No fear of death disturbs our mind, 

Subdued in that destroyer. 
Hallelujah! 

This the day the Lord has made 

For our ejaculation ; 
Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad, 

To praise His exaltation ; 
He dispels the clouds of sin, 
His merit cleanses all within, 

We are removed from darkness. 
Hallelujah ! 



CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN. 



55 



The bread of life we feed upon 

Is Christ, forever living ; 
The leaven of sin must be undone 

By grace, which He is giving ; 
Faith desires no other food 
But our Redeemer's flesh and blood : 

Blest be His name forever ! 
Hallelujah ! 





^itsun litre. 



Eomm Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott. 

This hymn has an abundant history of its own. 
Says Mr. Kiibler {Historical Notes to the Lyra Ger- 
manica, London, 1865): " This is Luther's amplifi- 
cation of an old German version of the Latin Anti- 
phona de Spiritu Sancto (Veni Sancte Spiritus). 
Luther added two verses to the one which he already 
found in use, and his hymn, with its old tune, was 
first published in 1524. It spread rapidly among 
the common people ; in proof of which the fact may 
be adduced, that in the Peasants' War it w^as sung 
by the fanatical peasants at the bloody battle of 
Frankenhausen, in the year 1526 ; for when the 
Landgrave Philip of Hesse gave the signal for the 
attack against them, the peasants remained un- 
moved, neither retreating nor defending themselves, 
but waiting for the miraculous help of God, which 
their leader, Thomas Munzer, had predicted ; they 
began to sing this pentecostal hymn, and continued 
( 56 ) 



KOMM HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT. 57 

singing until fifty thousand of them were slain and 
the rest dispersed. 

u When Leonhard Kayser, on account of his Ev- 
angelical preaching, was burned alive in Passau on 
the 16th August, 1527, he asked the people to sing 
this hymn while he was tied to the stake. This they 
did, and when the flames rose high, he was heard 
several times to call, L Jesu, I am thine ; save me V " 
And so he died. It has since often been used by 
ministers of the Gospel, not only in their preaching, 
but also on their dying beds. In many churches it 
was the standing Irymn at the opening of divine 
service. A family in Silesia sang it during a fearful 
storm in 1535, when the roof of their house was 
blown away, but they themselves escaped without 
any injuries. The wife of the celebrated Frederic 
Perthes in Hamburg, the daughter of Matthias 
Claudius, wrote to her son, who was studying at 
the University, on his birthday: "My most earnest 
birthday wish and prayer for you is — 

" ■ Thou strong Defence, thou holy Light, 
Teach him to know our God aright, 
And call him Father from the heart: 
The Word of Life and Truth impart, 
That he may love not doctrines strange, 
Nor e ; er to other teachers range ; 
But Jesus for his Master own, 
And put his trust in Him alone.' 



58 WHITSUNTIDE. 



" My beloved child, may God fulfil this prayer to 
you!" 

Luther's hymn first appeared in the Erfurt En- 
chiridion of 1524, where it has this title: " Here 
follows the hymn, Veni Sancte Spiritus, sung of the 
Holy Spirit, very useful and good." It was admit- 
ted into the Roman Catholic collection of M. Yehe, 
1537. 



FIRST VERSION. 

Undoubtedly the first translations from German 
into English, as almost or quite the first hymnic 
provision in our language, were made by Myles 
Coverdale (1488 ?-1569), Bishop of Exeter in 1551, 
one of the earliest translators of the Bible, and a 
prominent Reformer. His Goostly Psalmes and 
Spirituall Songes, forty in number, appeared before 
1539 ; a copy is preserved in the library of Queen's 
College, Oxford, and they are reprinted in his ''Re- 
mains," published by the Parker Society in 1846. 
The first three are addressed " To the Holy Goost," 
and two of them are from Luther. " Thej^ are here 
given accurately," say the editors of the Songs of 
the Spirit, " even to the rude antique spelling, as 
memorials of a time when ' the rules of religion/ 
though ' strict, 7 were matters of fierce debate, but 
' orthography was optional.' " 



KOMM HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT. 59 

Come, Holy Spirite, most blessed Lorde, 

Fulfyl our hartes no we with Thy grace ; 
And make our myndes of one accorde, 

Kyndle them with love in every place 
Lorde, Thou forgevest our trespace, 

And callest the folke of every countre 
To thy ryght fayth and truste of Thy grace, 

That they may geve thankes and synge to Thee. 
Alleluya, Alleluya ! 

holy Lyght, moste principall, 

The Worde of Lyfe shewe unto us ; 
And cause us to knowe God over all 

For our owne Father moste gracious. 
Lorde, kepe us from lernyng venymous, 

That we folowe no masters but Christe. 
He is the Yerite, His Worde sayth thus ; 

Cause us to set in Hym our truste. 
Alleluya, Alleluya ! 

O holy Fyre, and comforth moste swete, 
Fyll our hertes with fayth and boldnesse, 

To abyde by The in colde and hete, 
Contente to suffre for ryghteousnesse ; 



60 WHITSUNTIDE. 



Lord, geve strength to our weaknesse, 

And send us belpe every houre, 
That we may overcome all wyckednesse, 

And brynge this olde Adam under Thy power. 
Alleluya, Alleluj^a ! 



SECOND VERSION. 

From that rare and important volume, Psalmodia 
Germanica, or The German Psalmody. Translated 
from the High German by John Christian Jacobi, 
1722. A supplement was added in 1725; the second 
edition, with supplement 1732, reprinted by John 
Haberkom with a supplement of his own, 1760 ; the 
second edition of this, 1765. There is also a very 
rare reprint by Hugh Gaine, New York, 1756, i; with 
which,'* says good Dr. Kunze, Lutheran pastor there 
in 1795, u many serious English persons have been 
greatly delighted." Jacobi was, indeed, except John 
Wesley, the only respectable translator from the 
German prior to our time ; though far from a great 
poet, he is several steps above his Moravian succes- 
sors. He rendered ninety-four li3 T mns, and Haber- 
kom, who is inferior to him, thirty-three. Jacobi 
seems to have been Lutheran or Reformed rather 
than Moravian ; but nothing is known about him. 



KOMM HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT. Q\ 

Come, Holy Ghost! come, Lord our God! 
Spread faith and love divine abroad, 
And fill Thy longing people's minds 
With precious gifts of sundry kinds. 
O Lord, who by Thy heavenly light 
Hast called Thy Church from sinful night, 
Out of all nations, tribes, and tongues, 
Thy praise shall make our choicest songs. 
Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! 

Thou Light of glory, gracious Lord ! 
Revive us by Thy holy Word, 
And teach Thy flock in truth to call 
On Thee, the Father of us all. 
Delusive errors far remove, 
And guide us always by that love 
Which, keeping close to Jesus' path, 
Rejects all other guides of faith. 
Hallelujah ! 

Thou great Dispenser of that love 
Which sent Redemption from above, 
grant us faith and constancy 
To conquer sin, and yield to Thee. 



62 WHITSUNTIDE. 



Lord, by Thine almighty grace 
Prepare us so to run our race 
That we, from bonds of sin kept free, 
May gain a blest eternity. 

Hallelujah ! 



THIRD VERSION. 

From a collection of Psalms and Hymns published 
by him in 1851 : an important book, made up largely 
of originals and translations from the German. 

By Arthur Tozer Russel, then Vicar of Caxton. 

Blest Comforter, come, Lord our God, 
And pour Thy gifts of grace abroad ; 
Thy faithful people fill with blessing, 
Love's fire their hearts possessing. 
O Lord, Thou by Thy heavenly light 
Dost gather and in faith unite 
Through all the world a holy nation, 
To sing to Thee with exultation, 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

holiest Light ! Rock adored ! 
Give us Thy light, Thy living word, 



KOMM HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT. 63 

To God himself our spirits leading, 
With Him as children pleading. 
From error, Lord, our souls defend, 
That they on Christ alone attend ; 
In Him with faith unfeigned abiding, 
In Him with all their might confiding. 
Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! 

holiest Fire ! Source of rest ! 
Grant that with joy and hope possest, 
And in Thy service kept forever, 
Naught us from Thee may sever. 
Lord, may Thy power prepare each heart ; 
To our weak nature strength impart, 
That we may, firmly here contending, 
To Thee be daily hence ascending. 

Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! 



FOURTH VERSION. 

By Miss Catharine Winkworth, From " Lyra Germanica," I, p. 117. 
Boston, 1864. 

Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord ! 
Be all Thy graces now outpoured 
On the believer's mind and soul, 
And touch our hearts with living coal. 



64 WHITSUNTIDE. 



Thy light this day shone forth so clear, 
All tongues and nations gathered near 
To learn that faith for which we bring 
Glad praise to Thee, and loudly sing, 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

Thou strong Defence ! Thou holy Light ! 
Teach us to know our God aright, 
And call him Father from the heart ; 
The word of life. and truth impart, 
That we may love not doctrines strange, 
Nor e'er to other teachers range, 
But Jesus for our Master own, 
And put our trust in Him alone. 
Hallelujah ! 

Thou sacred Ardor, Comfort sweet, 
Help us to wait with ready feet 
And willing heart at Thy command, 
Nor trial fright us from Thy band. 
Lord, make us ready with Thy powers ; 
Strengthen the flesh in weaker hours, 
That as good warriors we may force 
Through life and death to Thee our course ! 
Hallelujah ! 



KOMM HEILIQER GEIST, HERRE GOTT. 65 



FIFTH VERSION. 

By Richard Massie, Esq. From Martin Luther's " Spiritual Songs.' 
London, 1854. 

Come, Holy Ghost, Lord God, fulfil 
With Thy rich grace, heart, mind and will, 
And each believing soul inspire 
With Thine own pure and holy fire. 
Lord, by the brightness of Thy light, 
Thou in the faith dost men unite 
Of every land and every tongue ; 
This to Thy praise, Lord, be sung, 
Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! 

Thou holy Light and Guide divine, 
Oh cause the word of life to shine ; 
Teach us to know our God aright, 
And call him Father with delight. 
Keep us, Lord, from all strange lore, 
That we may seek no masters more, 
But with true faith in Christ abide, 
And heartily in Him confide. 

Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! 



6Q WHITSUNTIDE. 



Sweet source of comfort, holy Love, 
Send us Thy succor from above, 
That in Thy service we may stay, 
And trouble drive us not away. 
Lord, with Thy grace our souls refresh, 
Confirm our frail and feeble flesh, 
That we through life and death to Thee 
May press with Christian chivalry. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 



SIXTH VERSION. 
By Henry Mills. From " Horse Germanicse." New York, 1856. 

Come, Holy Ghost, rule Thou within ! 
'Tis Thine by grace our souls to win ; 
Inspire with sacred joy the spirit 
Of all who trust Thy word and fear it. 
Thy light and truth hast Thou sent forth, 
From east to west, from south to north, 
To bring, from every tongue and nation, 
A host to sing the great salvation. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 



KOMM GOTT, SCHOEPFER, HEILIQER GEIST. 67 

Thou holy Light of truth divine, 
From God's own word yet brighter shine, 
That we thereby may better know Him, 
And pay the love His children owe Him. 
Thy teaching would we gladly learn, 
And ever to another turn, 
Our souls to Christ alone confiding, 
In Him, who is our life, abiding. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

Thou holy Portion, and our Rest, 
Help us, that, with Thy comfort bless'd, 
By troubles taught to prize thy favor, 
We may rejoice in Thee forever ! 
By strength of Thine our weakness raise, 
That, living, we may live Thy praise, 
And, all the host of evil routing, 
In death may triumph, fearless shouting — 
Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! 



Komm Gott, Schoepfer, Heiliger Geist. 

This hymn is a translation of the old " Yeni Crea- 
tor Spiritus," the authorship of which is commonly 
attributed to Charlemagne, who died in the year 814. 



68 WHITSUNTIDE. 



Some ascribe it to St. Ambrose, the Doctor Melli- 
fiuus et Mellitissimus of the fourth century, while 
others would ascribe it to Gregory the Great, of the 
sixth century. But, says Mr. Benedict very truly 
( The Hymn of Hildebert and other Mediaeval Hymns, 
New York, 1867), "except as a matter of literary 
history, it is of little importance who was the author. 
The merit of the hymn is in itself alone. Its com- 
prehensiveness and brevity, its simplicity and beauty, 
its gentle spirit of trust and devotion, and its earnest 
directness of expression, mark it as the production 
of a great and practiced writer and a devout Chris- 
tian, studiously familiar with the Scriptures and 
with theological truth, rather than of a proud mon- 
arch and a great soldier.' 7 Luther's rendering, which 
is tolerably close of the original, was admitted into 
the Romanist collection of Joh. Leisenritt, 1567. 
The version which we subjoin is by R. Massie, 1854. 

Creator, Spirit, holy Dove, 
Visit Thy people from above ; 
Fill them with graces, and restore 
Thy creatures as they were before. 

For Comforter is Thy sweet name, 
A gift which from the Highest came, 
A ghostly Ointment from above, 
A living Fount, a fire of Love. 



KOMM GOTT, SCHOEPFER, HEILIGER GEIST. 69 

Our minds enlighten, and inspire 
Our souls with love's celestial fire ; 
And since Thou know'st how frail we be, 
Confirm and make us strong in Thee. 

Thou, with Thy graces' sevenfold band, 
The Finger* art on God's right hand ; 
Thou dost the Father's promise send 
With tongues to earth's remotest end. 

Drive far away our wily foe, 
And by Thy grace sweet peace bestow ; 
That in Thy footsteps w r e may run, 
And soul-destroying mischief shun. 

Let us by Thee the Father know, 
His Son, Christ Jesus, also show, 
That, full of faith, we may know Thee, 
Derived from both eternally. 



* Trench, in his Sacred Latin Poetry, p. 184, says: " The 
titlo digitus Dei (finger of the Lord), so often given to the 
Holy Ghost, rests originally on a comparison of Luke 1 1 : 20, 
si in digito Dei ejicio dcemonia, with Matt. 12 : 28, si autem ego 
in Spiritu Dei ejicio dcemonia, where evidently the digitus Dei 
of Luke is equivalent to the Spiritus Dei of Matthew." 



70 WHITSUNTIDE. 



To God the Father, and the Son, 
Who rose again, be honor done, 
With Him, who came at Pentecost, 
The Comforter, the Holy Ghost. 



Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist. 

This hymn was first printed in John Walther's 
Hymn-Book, 1524. The first verse is very old. A 
Franciscan monk, Berthold of Ratisbon, about A.D. 
1250, in one of his sermons, gives the text of it, and 
exhorts his hearers to sing it often and heartily. 
That verse is attributed, says Miss Winkworth 
{Christian Singers of Germany, 1869), to Spervogel, 
a priest and favorite sacred poet of the twelfth cen- 
tury. Other verses, having some resemblance to 
Luther's, appeared in Romanist books a few } T ears 
after the publication of his hymn, but there is no 
evidence that they are old. Luther's hymn was 
translated into Latin by Rein hart Lorich in 1550, 
and into Tamil by Ziegenbalg in 1723. 

The hymn was once used under very peculiar cir- 
cumstances, whereof the tale is told by Pastor Hei- 
berg in his account of Peter Palladius, the First 
Evangelical Bishop of Seeland : see Karl Heinrich's 
Erzdhlungen uber Evang. Kirchenlieder. 



NUN BITTEN WIR DEN HEILIGEN GEIST 71 

" In the earlier part of the sixteenth century, on 
the day preceding the festival of the Annunciation 
of the Virgin, about eight} 7 fishermen were on the 
ice between Copenhagen and the island of Saltholm 
catching eels, when the ice gave way and broke up. 
They were carried along by the current, parted from 
each other, and in the end nearly thirty of them 
drowned. While they were still near together, one 
of them, Hans Yensen, who had been a pupil of 
Bishop Palladius, called out to the rest, ' Dear breth- 
ren, let us not fall into despair because we shall lose 
our lives ; but let us prove by our conduct that we 
have been hearers of God's Word.' Whereupon 
they sang together Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist, 
and after it the hyinn of the dying, Mit Fried und 
Freud ich fahr dahin, Luther's metrical version of 
Nunc Dimittis. When they had done singing, they 
fell on their knees, the water reaching their breasts, 
and prayed that God would grant them a happy 
death." (Songs of the Spirit, p. 236.) Our version 
is that by R. Massie, from Luther's Spiritual Songs, 
1854. 

Now crave we of the Holy Ghost, 
What of all things we need the most, 
True faith in Christ, when life is ending, 
And from this grief we home be wending. 
Kyrie eleison. 



72 WHITSUNTIDE. 



Shine in our hearts, Thou worthy Light, 
And teach us Christ to know aright ; 
Abiding in Thee, whose faithful hand 
Hath brought us safe to our Fatherland. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Grant us Thy favor, heavenly Dove, 
And let us feel the glow of love, 
That we may live with one another 
As brother ought to live with brother. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Thou who hast so sweet a name, 
Keep us from fear of death and shame, 
Nor comfort in the hour refuse us 
When Sin and Satan will accuse us. 
Kyrie eleison. 



\\t ufriniig. 



Der du bist drei in Einigkeit. 

(Mills, "Horse Germanicse," p. 223.) 

Thou only God, the Three in One, 
Eternal is Thy shining throne ; 
The Sun on us forbears to shine, 
cheer our souls with light divine ! 

At morn to Thee we offered praise, 
With thanks our evening song we raise,- 
For all Thy love would honor Thee 
Now, onward, through eternity. 



Our Father, praise to Thee we give ; 
Thou Son of God, our praise receive ! 
Thou Holy Ghost, we grace implore 
To praise our God for evermore. 

( 73) 



74 THE TRINITY. 



Gott der Vatei wohn uns bei. 

("Lyra Domestica," p. 111.) 

Our God, our Father, with us stay, 
Arid make us keep Thy narrow way; 
Free us from sin and all its power; 
Give us a joyful djing hour. 
Deliver us from Satan's arts, 

And let us build our hopes on Thee, 
Down in our very heart of hearts ! 

God, may we true servants be, 

And serve Thee ever perfectly. 
Help us, with all Th} T children here, 
To fight and flee with holy fear ; 
Flee from temptation, and to fight 
With Thine own weapons for the right. 

Amen, amen, so let it be ! 

So shall we ever sing to Thee, 
Hallelujah! 

Jesus Christ, be Thou our stay, etc., etc. 

Holy Ghost, be Thou our stay, etc., etc. 



GOTT DER VATER WOHN UNS BEL 75 



(J. C. Jacobi, " Psalinodia Germanica," I, p. 27.) 

God the Father, our Defence, 
O save us from damnation ; 

All transgressions take from hence, 
And grant us Thy salvation. 

Guard us from the Tempter's snare 
Within Thy own protection, 
That under Thy direction 
Our faith may 'scape infection. 

We rely upon Thy care, 
With all Thy well beloved 
Thy grace be thus improved, 
That we may ne'er be moved. 

Amen, amen, be the word ! 

So shall we truly praise the Lord. 

Lord Christ Jesus, our Defence, 
save us, etc., etc. 



Blessed Spirit, our Defence, 
save us, etc., etc. 



8 Song 



CONCERNING THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
Rev. 12 : 1-6. 



Sie ist mir lieb die werthe Magd. 

(E. Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 27.) 

Dear is to me the holy Maid, — 

I never can forget her ; 
For glorious things of her are said ; 
Than life I love her better : 
So dear and good, 
That if I should 
Afflicted be, 
It moves not me ; 
For she my soul will ravish 

With constanc}^ and love's pure fire, 
And with her bounty lavish 
Fulfil my heart's desire. 
( 76) 



SIE 1ST MIR LIEB DIE WERTHE MAOD. 77 

She wears a crown of purest gold, 
Twelve shining stars attend her ; 
Her raiment, glorious to behold, 
Surpasses far in splendor 
The sun at noon ; 
Upon the moon 
She stands the Bride 
Of Him who died: 
Sore travail is upon her; 

She bringeth forth a noble Son, 
Whom all the world doth honor ; 
She bows before His throne. 

Thereat the Dragon raged, and stood 

With open mouth before her ; 
But vain was his attempt, for God 
His buckler broad threw o'er her. 
Up to His throne 
He caught His Son, 
But left the foe 
To rage below. 
The mother, sore afflicted, 

Alone into the desert fled, 
There by her God protected, 
By her true Father feci. 



}%t ffiriump^ of ||aii^. 



Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott. 

This is the most famous of Luther's hymns, 
founded on the forty-sixth Psalm, and which is sup- 
posed to have been written on his way to the Diet 
of Worms, from the coincidence of the third verse 
with Luther's answer to Spalatin, who tried to dis- 
suade him from the journey : " If there were as many 
devils in Worms as there are tiles on the roofs, I 
would go, and would not be afraid. If Huss was 
burnt to ashes, the truth was not burnt with him.' 1 
Some, however, think that it was composed at the 
close of the Second Diet of Spires — that in 1529, 
which revoked the religious liberty granted in the 
previous one of 1526. Be it as it is, this hymn of 
Luther has become the national hymn of Protestant 
Germany, the imperishable paean of the Reforma- 
tion, or as Heine called it, "the Marseillaise of the 
Reformation." Of the score or more of English 
versions of Luther's great hymn, we will give a few 
specimens. 
( 78) 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. 79 

FIRST VERSION. 

From "Psalmodia Germanica," London, 1765. 

God is our refuge in distress, 

Our strong defence and armor, 
He 's present when we're comfortless, 
In storms He is our harbor. 
Th' infernal enemy, 
Look ! how enraged is he ! 
He now exerts his force 
To stop the Gospel course : 
Who can withstand this tyrant ? 

All human power is but dust, 
Our strength an idle story ; 
The Valiant Man, in whom we trust, 
Is Christ, the Lord of glory. 
He is the Conqueror, 
Vested with sovereign power. 
The Lord both great and good, 
The only living God, 
Gains us the field of battle. 

If all the devils should wage the war 
In order to destroy us, 



80 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH. 

They should not once put us in fear ; 
The victory would be joyous. 
We dare the prince of hell ; 
With fury let him swell ; 
He cannot hurt one hair ; 
We shall escape his snare ; 
Christ's single word can rout him. 

His word puts all our foes to flight ; 
With shame they are confounded ; 
For Christ instructs our hands to fight ; 
His Spirit is unbounded. 

Tho' we should lose our lives, 
Fame, children, goods, and wives, 
Destroy hell what it can, 
'Twill find but little gain, 
Ood's kingdom is our portion. 



SECOND VERSION. 

By Dr. W. L. Alexander, in " Lyra Christiana," Edinburgh, s. 

A fortress firm is God our Lord, 
A sure defence and weapon ; 

Prompt help in need he doth afford 
Let happen what may happen. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. 81 

Our ancient wicked foe 
Full of wrath doth go, 
With much craft and might 
In horrid armor dight : 
On earth is not his fellow. 

Of our own might we nothing can, 

We lie forlorn, dejected ; 
There fights for us the rightful Man, 
By God himself elected. 

Dost thou inquire his name ? 
Jesus Christ ? The same ! 
Lord of hosts is He ; 
Besides Him none can be : 
'Tis He the field that keepeth. 

And were this world of devils full, 

For our destruction eager, 
That should not our firm faith annul ; 
We would abide their leaguer. 
The prince of this lost world, 
From his empire hurled, 
Though with rage he roar, 
Is judged, and can no more ; 
A word shall overthrow him. 
6 



82 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH. 

Hold fast that word which must remain, 

Let no dark doubt invade us ; 
He will be with us on the plain, 
With gifts and grace to aid us. 
Let life and honor fall, 
Let them take our all, 
Still our course we'll keep, 
No prize from us they'll reap ; 
For us the kingdom waiteth. 



THIRD VERSION. 

By Bishop Whittingham, in " Hymns for Church and Home," 
Philadelphia, 1860. 

A mountain fastness is our God, 

On which our souls are planted ; 
And though the fierce foe rage abroad 
Our hearts are nothing daunted. 
What though he beset 
With weapon and net, 
Arrayed in death-strife ? 
In God are help and life : 
He is our sword and armor. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. 83 



By our own might we naught can do ; 

To trust it were sure losing ; 
For us must fight the right and true, 
The man of God's own choosing. 
Dost ask for his name ? 
Christ Jesus w T e claim ; 
The Lord God of hosts ; 
The only God ; — vain boasts 
Of others fall before Him. 

What though the troops of Satan filled 

The world with hostile forces ? 
E'en then our fears should all be stilled : 
In God are our resources. 
The world and its king 
No terrors can bring ; 
Their threats are no worth ; 
Their doom is now gone forth ; 
A single word can quell them. 

God's word through all shall have free sway 

And ask no man's permission ; 
The Spirit and his gifts convey 

Strength to defy perdition. 



84 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH. 

The body to kill, 
Wife, children, at will, 
The wicked have power, 
Yet lasts it but an hour ! 
The kingdom 's ours forever ! 



FOURTH VERSION. 

By Dr. W. M. Reynolds, in " Evenings with the Sacred Poets," 
New York, 1870. 

A safe stronghold our God is still, 

A sure defence and weapon ; 
He will deliver from all ill 
That unto us can happen. 
Our old and bitter foe 
Is fain to work us woe ; 
In strength and cunning, he 
Is armed full fearfully ; 
On earth is not his equal. 

By strength of ours we naught can do, 
The strife full soon were ended ; 

But for us fights the Champion true, 
By God himself commended. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. 85 

And dost thou ask his name ? 
'Tis Jesus Christ ! The same 
Whom Lord of hosts we call, 
God blessed over all — 
He'll hold the field triumphant. 

Tho' Satan's hosts the earth should fill, 

All watching to devour us, 

We tremble not, we fear no ill, 

They cannot overpower us. 

This world's false prince may still 
Scowl fiercely as he will, 
His threat'nings are but vain, 
We shall unharmed remain ; 
A word shall overthrow him. 

God's word unshaken shall remain, 

Whatever foes invade us ; 
Christ standeth on the battle-plain, 
With His own strength to aid us. 
What tho' they take our life, 
Our goods, fame, children, wife! 
E'en when their worst is done 
They have but little won, — 
The kingdom ours abideth. 



gg THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH 



FIFTH VERSION. 

By Thomas Carlyle, in "Critical and Miscellaneous Essays," vol. iii, 
New York, 1872. 

A safe stronghold our God is still, 

A trusty shield and weapon ; 
He'll help us clear from all the ill 
That hath us now overtaken. 
The ancient prince of hell 
Hath risen with purpose fell ; 
Strong mail of craft and power 
He weareth in this hour ; 
On earth is not his fellow. 

With force of arms we nothing can, 

Full soon were we downridden ; 
But for us fights the proper Man, 
Whom God himself hath bidden. 
Ask ye, who is this same ? 
Christ Jesus is his name, 
The Lord Zebaoth's Son, 
He and no other one 
Shall conquer in the battle. 

And were this world all devils o'er, 
And watching to devour us, 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. 87 

We lay it not to heart so sore, 
1ST ot they can overpower us. 

And let the prince of ill 

Look grim as e'er he will, 

He harms us not a whit : 

For why ? His doom is writ, 
A word shall quickly slay him. 

God's word, for all their craft and force, 

One moment will not linger ; 
But spite of hell, shall have its course, 
'Tis written by His finger. 
And though they take our life, 
Goods, honor, children, wife, 
Yet is their profit small ; 
These kings shall vanish all, 
The city of God remaineth. 



SIXTH VERSION. 
By H. W. Dulken, in "The Book of German Songs," London, 1871. 

Our God, a tower of strength is He, 
A good defence and weapon ; 

Prom every care He helps us free 
That unto us doth happen. 



88 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH. 

The old evil foe 
With rage now doth glow ; 
Much cunning, great power, 
His fearful armor are — 
On earth there is none like him. 

With our own might is nothing done ; 

We soon are lost and fallen ; 
There fights for us the righteous Man, 
Whom God himself hath callen. . 
Dost ask who he is? 
Christ Jesus, I wis ; 
The Lord Sabaoth, — 
There is no other God, — 
And He must be triumphant. 

Though the world full of devils were, 

All ready to devour us, 
Still have we not such grievous fear, — 
The victory is for us. 
The prince of this earth 
May scowl in his wrath ; 
But powerless must be, 
For judged is he ; 
A word can overcome him. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. §9 

His written Word shall they let stand, 

And little thanks inherit ; 
He fighteth for us in the land 
With His good gifts and Spirit. 
And, take they the life, 
Goods, fame, child, and wife, 
Let all pass away ; 
Small profit have they ; 
The kingdom yet awaits us. 



SEVENTH VERSION. 

By H. Mills, in " Horse Gerrnanicse," New York, 1856. 

A tower of safety is our God, 

His sword and shield defend us ; 
His mercy, too, relieves the load 
Of evils that attend us. 
But the ancient foe 
Strives to work our woe ; 
Fearful power and art 
In him their force exert ; 
On earth he has no rival. 



90 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH 

By strength of ours naught could be done,- 

The strife full soon were ended ; 
But fights for us that righteous One 
By God himself commended. 
Needs his name be told? 
Jesus — from of old 
Lord of Sabaoth, — 
Our God and Saviour both, — 
He shall our souls deliver. 

Though devils all the earth should fill, 

Each gaping to devour us, 
This Saviour would our terrors quell, 
And victory guide before us. 
Prince of this vain world, 
Be thy fury hurled 
On our heads, — 'twere vain ! 
He will thy rage restrain ; 
His smallest word subdue thee. 

His truth our foes shall help to show ; 

For this no thanks they merit ; 
Believing Him we onward go, 

He cheers us by His Spirit. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER OOTT. 91 

Should they, in the strife, 
Quench our joys and life ; 
When their worst is done, 
For us the victory 's won, — 
He'll crown us then with glory. 



EIGHTH VERSION. 

By Rev. R. P. Dunn, in "Sacred Lyrics from the German,' 

Philadelphia, 1859. 

A stronghold firm, a trusty shield, 

When raging foes appal us, 
Our God defence and help doth yield, 
When heavy ills befall us. 
With ancient bitter hate, 
Such might and cunning great, 
As guides no earthly arm, 
Plotting us deadly harm, 
Our foe attempts to inthral us. 

Our human strength avails us naught, 
Our struggles soon were ended, 

And we in hellish snares were caught, 
Unless by God befriended. 



92 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH. 

Know ye our Champion's name ? 
All heaven tells his fame, 
" Jesus, the Lord of hosts." 
His might our weakness boasts ; 
By Him are we defended. 

What though in every path of life 

A host of fiends endeavor 
To wound us in the deadly strife ? 
Their arts shall triumph never. 
The author of all ill 
May threaten as he will ; 
His throne and empire proud, 
But for a time allowed, 
A word shall end forever. 

God's testimony standeth sure, 

Whatever man beticleth, 
He makes the weakest saint endure, 
Who in His grace confideth. 
Though the best gifts of life 
Our foes seize in the strife, 
We cheerful let them go ; 
No profit have they so, 
For heaven ours abideth. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. 93 



NINTH VERSION. 

By N. L. Frothingharu, in " The Monthly Religious Magazine,' 
vol. xxxvii, Boston, 1867. 

Our God, he is a fortress-tower 

And armor to defend us ; 
In all this press of hostile power 
Deliverance He will send us. 
The old and wily foe 
Is bent to work us woe ; 
With might and many wiles 
He smites and he beguiles ; 
On earth there 's not his fellow. 

With our own strength we nothing can, 

We soon sink down dejected ; 
There battles for us the right Man, 
Whom God himself elected. 
Ask who this can be ? 
Jesus Christ is he ; 
Lord Sabaoth his name, 
Which God alone can claim ; 
He holds the field forever. 

Though earth all full of devils were, 
All ramping to devour us, 



94 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH. 

We would not fear for their mad stir ; 
They could not overpower us. 

The prince of this world, 

Grimmest signs unfurled, 

ISTo harm now can do ; 

He 's judged, with all his crew: 
One little word can fell him. 

No thanks to them who do their worst, 

The Word can ne'er go under ; 
Christ comes against their spite accurst, 
With gift and sign and wonder. 
Strip they may of life, 
Goods, name, child, and wife ; 
Let them plot and strain ! 
They can achieve no gain ; 
God's kingdom must stand for us. 



TENTH VERSION. 

By Frances Eliz. Cox, in " Hymns from the German," London, 1864. 

A fortress firm and steadfast Rock 

Is God in time of danger ; 
A Shield and Sword in every shock 

From foe well known or stranger. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER QOTT. 95 

The old foe of man, 
Intent on his plan, 
With might and with craft 
Still plies each deadly shaft ; 
His like earth saw not ever. 

In our ow T n might, so lost our plight, 

Our arm no conquest gaineth ; 
That righteous Man must win the fight 
Whom God himself ordaineth. 
Thou askest his name ? 
None else bears the same, — 
Christ Jesus the Lord, 
As God of hosts adored, 
'Tis He must win the battle. 

And were the world a hungry crew 

Of devils all around us, 
Their leaguered host we could subdue, 
The thought need not confound us. 
The world's vanquished prince 
His doom had long since ; 
His fiercest array 
One word of faith can fray, 
In spite of threatening gesture. 



96 THE TRIUMPH OB" FAITH. 

Unharmed the Word shall yet remain ; 

For this no thanks they merit ; 
He aids us on our battle-plain 
With His good gifts and Spirit. 
Then take they our life, 
Wealth, fame, child, and wife; 
No triumph they gain, 
For all their boast is vain, 
While ours is still the kingdom. 



ELEVENTH VERSION. 

From " The Church Book," Philadelphia, 1872. 

A mighty Fortress is our God, 
A trusty shield and weapon ; 
He helps us free from every need 
That hath us now overtaken. 
The old bitter foe 
Means us deadly woe : 
Deep guile and great might 
Are his dread arms in fight ; 
On earth is not his equal. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. 97 

With might of ours can naught be done, 

Soon were our loss effected ; 
But for us fights the Valiant One 
Whom God himself elected. 
Ask ye, who is this ? 
Jesus Christ it is, 
Of Sabaoth Lord, 
And there 's none other God, 
He holds the field forever. 

Though devils all the world should fill, 

All watching to devour us, 
We tremble not, we fear no ill, 
They cannot overpower us. 
This world's prince may still 
Scowl fierce as he will, 
He can harm us none, 
He 's judged, the deed is done, 
One little word overthrows him. 

The Word they still shall let remain, 

And not a thank have for it ; 
He 's by our side upon the plain, 

With His good gifts and Spirit. 

7 



98 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH. 

Take they then our life, 
Goods, fame, child, and wife ; 
When their worst is done, 
They yet have nothing won, 
The kingdom ours remaineth. 



TWELFTH VERSION. 

From B. H. Kennedy's " Hymnologia Christiana," London, 1863. 

A tower of strength our God doth stand, 

A buckler to defend us ; 
In all the woes of life His hand 

True help is nigh to lend us. 
Our foe prepares him for the fight, 
With cunning armed and hellish might ; 

On earth is not his fellow. 

With force of arms we nothing can, 

Full soon were we overridden ; 
But for us fights the goodly Man 

Whom God himself hath bidden. 
Ask ye his name ? 'Tis Christ our Lord, 
The God of hosts alone adored, 

Our Champion ; none may brave Him. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER QOTT. 99 

Should helPs battalions round us press, 

All banded to devour us, 
Yet this should work us good success, 

Nor fear e'en then o'erpower us : 
Though this world's prince look fierce and bold, 
It matters not, his doom is told, 

A single breath can foil him. 

Our foes must let the Word stand sure ; 

No thanks for this are owing : 
God's Spirit makes our way secure, 

His light and strength bestowing. 
Those foes may ravish earthly bliss ; 
Let be, no gain they reap from this : 

God's kingdom still is left us. 



THIRTEENTH VERSION. 
By Miss Catharine Winkworth, in " Lyra Germanica," I, New York, 1864. 

God is our stronghold firm and sure, 
Our trusty shield and weapon ; 

He shall deliver us, whate'er 
Of ill to us may happen. 



100 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH 

Our ancient enemy 
In earnest now is he ; 
Much craft and great might 
Arm him for the fight ; 
On earth is not his fellow. 

Our might is nought but weakness ; soon 

Should we the battle lose, 
But for us fights the rightful Man, 
Whom God himself cloth choose. 
Askest thou his name ? 
7 Tis Jesus Christ, the same 
Whom Lord of hosts we call, 
God only over all ; 
None from the field can drive Him. 

What though the world were full of fiends, 

That would us sheer devour ! 
We know we yet shall win the day, 
We fear not all their power. 
The prince of this world still 
May struggle as he will ; 
He nothing can prevail, 
A word shall make him quail, 
For he is judged of Heaven. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. 101 

The word of God they shall not touch, 

Yet have no thanks therefor ; 
God by His Spirit and His gifts 
Is with us in the war. 

Then let them take our life, 
Goods, honor, children, wife; 
Though nought of these we save, 
Small profit shall they have, — 
The kingdom ours abideth. 



FOURTEENTH VERSION. 

By Miss C. Winkworth, in " Christian Singers of Germany," London, 1869. 

A sure stronghold our God is He, 

A trusty shield and weapon ; 
Our help He'll be, and set us free, 
Whatever ill may happen. 
That old malicious foe 
Intends us deadly woe ; 
Armed with the strength of hell, 
And deepest craft as well, 
On earth is not his fellow. 



102 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH 

Through our own force we nothing can, 

Straight were we lost forever ; 
But for us fights the proper Man, 
By God sent to deliver. 
Ask ye who this may be ? 
Christ Jesus named is He, 
Of Sabaoth the Lord, 
Sole God to be adored ; 
? Tis He must win the battle. 

And were the world with devils filled, 

All eager to devour us, 
Our souls to fear should little yield, 
They cannot overpower us. 
Their dreaded prince no more 
Can harm us as of yore; 
Look grim as e'er he may, 
Doomed is his ancient sway ; 
A word can overthrow him. 

Still shall they leave that Word its might, 
And yet no thanks shall merit ; 

Still is He with us in the fight 
By His good gifts and Spirit. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST UNSER GOTT. ■ 103 

E'en should they take our life, 
Goods, honor, children, wife, 
Though all of these were gone, 
Yet nothing have they won, — 
God's kingdom ours abideth. 



FIFTEENTH VERSION. 
By R. Massie, " Spiritual Songs of Luther," London, 1854. 

A castle is our God, a tower, 
A shield and trusty weapon ; 
He saveth us by His strong power 
From all the ills that happen. 
The old arch-fiend, I trow, 
Is in good earnest now ; 
Great might and cunning are 
His panoply of war ; 
On earth there is none like him. 

Stood we alone in our own might, 
Full sure were we of losing ; 

For us the one true Man doth fight, 
The Man of God's own choosing. 



104 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH. 

Dost thou inquire his name ? 
Christ Jesus we proclaim, 
The God who armies guides, 
There is no God besides ; 
In every field He triumphs. 

What tho' the world should swarm with fiends 

Eager to tear and rend us ? 
We will not fear, if God befriends, 
Success shall yet attend us. 
The prince who rules below 
No harm can do us, though 
He looks so fierce and grim, 
For Christ hath judged him ; 
A little word can slay him. 

Leave us they must Thy blessed Word, 

For which no thanks they merit ; 
With us abideth still the Lord, 
His gifts and Hoi} 7 Spirit. 
Take, if they will, our life, 
Goods, honor, child, and wife ; 
We freely let them go ; 
They profit not the foe ; 
With us remains the kingdom. 



EIN FESTE BURG 1ST VNSER GOTT. 105 

SIXTEENTH VERSION. 
J. C. Jacobi, " Psalmodia Germanica," I, p. 83. 

God is our Refuge in distress, 

Our strong defence and armor; 
He 's present, when left comfortless, 
In raging storms our harbor. 
Th' infernal enemy, 
Look ! how enraged is he ! 
He now exerts his force 
To stop the Gospel-course ; 
Who can withstand this tyrant ? 

All human power must here be lost ; 

Our strength would soon be moved ; 
The Valiant Man, of w T hom we boast, 
Is Christ the well-beloved : 
This is the Conqueror 
Endowed with foreign power, 
The Lord both great and good, 
And only living God, 
He gains the field of battle. 



106 THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH 

If all the devils should wage the fight 

In order to destroy us, 
They would not put us into fright, 
The victory should be joyous. 
We scorn the prince of hell ; 
With fury let him swell ; 
He cannot hurt one hair, 
We shall escape his snare, 
One single word can rout him. 

This word puts all our foes to flight, 
With shame they are confounded, 
For Christ instructs our hands to fight, 
His Spirit is unbounded. 

Tho 1 we should lose our lives, 
Fame, children, goods, and wives, 
Destro} T ing all they can, 
They'll find but little gain- 
God's kingdom is our portion. 





\e mntcb 



Es spricht der Unweisen Mund. 

PARAPHRASE OF THE FOURTEENTH PSALM. 
By R. Massie, " Spiritual Songs." 

The mouth of fools doth God confess, 
But while their lips draw nigh Him 

Their heart is full of wickedness, 
And all their deeds deny Him. 

Corrupt are they, and every one 

Abominable deeds hath done ; 
There is not one well-doer. 

The Lord looked down from His high tower 

On all mankind below him, 
To see if any owned His power, 

And truly sought to know Him ; 
Who all their understanding bent 
To search His holy Word, intent 

To do His will in earnest. 

(107) 



108 THE CHURCH. 



But none there was who walked with God, 

For all aside had sliclden, 
Delusive paths of folly trod, 

And followed lusts forbidden ; 
Not one there was who practiced good, 
And yet they deemed, in haughty mood, 

Their deeds must surely please Him. 

How long, by folly blindly led, 

Will ye oppress the needy, 
And eat my people up like bread? 

So fierce are ye and greedy ! 
In God they put no trust at all, 
Nor will on Him in trouble call, 

But be their own providers. 

Therefore their heart is never still, 

A falling leaf dismays them ; 
God is with him who doth His will, 

Who trusts Him and obeys Him ; 
But ye the poor man's hope despise, 
And laugh at him, e'en when he cries, 

That God is his sure comfort. 

Who shall to Israel's outcast race 
From Zion bring salvation ? 



ES SPRICHT DER UNWEISEN MUND. 109 

God will himself at length show grace, 

And loose the captive nation ; 
That will He do by Christ their King ; 
Let Jacob then be glad and sing, 

And Israel be joyful. 



(J. C. Jacobi, " Psalmodia Germanica," II, p. 66.) 

The foolish men profanely boast 
Of God and true religion ; 

Their faithless heart is full of lust, 
Their life 's a contradiction : 

Corrupted is their very fame, 

God's holiness abhors the same, 
There 's none doth good, but evil. 

The Lord from his celestial throne 
Looked down on every creature, 

To find one man who had begun 
To love God's holy nature ; 

But all the race was gone astray, 

All had forsook the saving way 
Of God his Revelation. 



HO THE CHURCH. 



How long will they be ignorant 

Of their abomination ? 
Who thus despise my covenant, 

Nor spare my holy nation ? 
They never call upon the Lord, 
Put all their trust upon their hoard, 

And turn their own defenders. 

Yet is their heart in constant pain, 
And secret fear and trembling ; 

God with His Zion w r ill remain, 
Where saints are still assembling : 

But you deride the poor's advice, 

His greatest comfort you despise, 
That God ? s his only refuge. 

O that the joyful day would come 

To turn our desolation, 
When God will bring His children home, 

And finish our salvation ! 
Then shall the tribes of Jacob sing, 
And Judah praise their Lord and King, 

With lasting hallelujahs. 



ACH GOTT VOM HIMMEL SI EH DA REIN. \\\ 



Psalm 12. Salvum me fac. 
Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein. 

(Cox, * 'Sacred Hymns from the German.") 

Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold, 

And let Thy pity waken ! 
How few the flock within Thy fold, 

Neglected and forsaken ! 
Almost thou 'It seek for faith in vain, 
And those who should Thy truth maintain 

Thy Word from us have taken. 

With frauds which they themselves invent 
Thy truth they have confounded ; 

Their hearts are not with one consent 
On thy pure doctrine grounded ; 

And, whilst they gleam with outward show, 

They lead Thy people to and fro, 
In error's maze astounded. 

God surely will uproot all those 
With vain deceits who store us, 

With haughty tongue who God oppose, 
And say, " Who'll stand before us? 



112 THE CHURCH. 



By right or might we will prevail ; 
What we determine cannot fail, 
For who can lord it o'er us ?" 

For this, saith God, I will arise, 
These wolves my flock are rending ; 

I've heard my people's bitter sighs 
To heaven my throne ascending : 

Now will I up, and set at rest 

Each weary soul by fraud opprest, 
The poor with might defending. 

The silver seven times tried is pure 

From all adulteration ; 
So, through God's word, shall men endure 

Each trial and temptation : 
Its worth gleams brighter through the cross, 
And, purified from human dross, 

It shines through every nation. 

Thy truth Thou wilt preserve, O Lord, 

Pure from their artful glozing ; 
Oh ! make us lean upon Thy word, 

With hearts unmoved reposing, 
Though bad men triumph, and their crew 
Are gathered round, the faithful few 

With crafty toils inclosing. 



ACH OOTT VOM HIMMEL SIEH DAREIN. H3 



(J. C. Jacobi, " Psalinodia Germanica," I, p. 93.) 

Lord, in mercy cast an eye 

On Thy distressed Zion ; 
How few of Christians can'st thou spy 

That 'scape th' infernal lion? 
Thy truth was never more despised 
Faith, charity is but disguised 

Amongst its mere professors. 

They teach but lies and flattery, 
What is their own invention ; 

Their doctrine is but mockery 
Of God and His intention : 

One chooses this, another that, 

Pretending to they know not what, 
Though saint-like in appearance. 

Root out all mere formalhYv, 

Lord ! and its infection ; 
Confound refined hypocrisy, 

Which is beyond correction : 
Yet shall our words be free, they cry ; 
Where is the Lord will ask us why? 

Who dare control our sayings ? 



114 THE CHURCH. 



The Lord, who sees the poor opprest, 
And hears these proud professors, 

Will rise to give His children rest, 
And curb their sore oppressors ; 

Nor will He send His word in vain, 

But wilful mockers shall be slain, 
To save His poor beloved. 

As silver seven times purified 
Shines in its greatest beauty, 

So, Lord, thy Word y though often tried, 
Shall still exert its duty : 

Affliction shall refine it more, 

And show its energy and power, 
According to Thy promise. 

Lord ! we pray, preserve it pure 

In this our generation, 
And let us dwell in Thee, secure 

From all abomination : 
For sin increases every cla}^ 
Where vile blasphemers bear the sway 

In church or state soever. 



WAR 1 GOTT NICHT MIT UNS DIESE ZEIT. H5 

Psalm 124. Nisi quia Dominus. 
"War' Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit. 

(R. Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 35.) 

Had God not come, may Israel say, 

Had God not come to aid us, 
Our enemies on that sad day 

Would surely have dismayed us ; 
A remnant now, and handful small, 
Held in contempt and scorn by all 

Who cruelty oppress us. 

Their furious wrath, did God permit, 
Would quickly have consumed us, 

And in the deep and yawning pit 
With life and limb entombed us ; 

Like men o'er whom dark waters roll, 

The streams had gone e'en o'er our soul, 
And mightily o'erwhelmed us. 

Thanks be to God, who from the pit 
Snatched us, when it was gaping; 

Our souls, like birds that break the net, 
To the blue skies escaping ; 

The snare is broken — we are free ! 

The Lord our helper praised be, 
The God of earth and heaven. 



met. 



Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein. 

A THANKSGIVING FOR THE HIGHEST BENEFITS WHICH GOP 
HAS SHOWN US IN CHRIST. 

An eye-witness of the Reformation says of that 
hymn : " Who can doubt that by this hymn many 
hundreds of Christians have been converted to the 
faith of Jesus, who had never before heard of the 
name of Luther? But his noble and dear words 
won their hearts over to the reception of the truth ; 
so that, in my opinion, the spiritual songs have con- 
tributed not a little to the spread of the Gospel." 
To this we may add: "Luther," said the Romanists, 
" has done us more harm by his songs than by his 
sermons." 

(C. Winkworth, "Christian Singers of Germany.") 

Dear Christian people, now rejoice ! 
Our hearts within us leap, 

( H6) 



FREUT EUCH, LIEBEN CHRISTEN &MEIN. H7 

While we, as with one soul and voice, 

With love and gladness deep, 
Tell how our God beheld our need, 
And sing that sweet and wondrous deed, 

That hath so dearly cost Him. 

Captive to Satan once I lay, 

In inner death forlorn ; 
My sins oppressed me night and day, 

Therein I had been born, 
And deeper fell howe'er I strove ; 
My life had neither joy nor love, 

So sore had sin possessed me. 

My good works could avail me naught, 
For they with sin were stained ; 

My will against God's justice fought, 
And dead to good remained ; 

My anguish drove me to despair, 

For death I knew was waiting there, 
And what but hell was left me ? 

Then God in His eternity 

Looked on my boundless woe, 

His deep compassions flowed toward me, 
True succor to bestow: 



118 GRACE. 



His Father's heart did yearn and melt 
To heal the bitter pains I felt, 

Though it should cost His dearest. 

He spake to His beloved Son : 

M Go Thou, my heart's bright crown, 

The time for pity is begun, 
Go Thou in mercy down 

To break for men Sin's heavy chain, 

To end for them Death's hopeless reign, 
And give them life eternal." 

The Son clelighteth to obey, 

And born of virgin mother, 
Awhile on this low earth did stay, 

And thus became my brother : 
His mighty power He hidden bore, 
A servant's form like mine He wore, 

My foe for me to vanquish. 

To me He spake : " Hold fast by Me, 
And thou shalt conquer now ; 

Myself I wholly give for thee, 
For thee I wrestle now ; 

For I am with thee, thou art Mine, 

Henceforth My place is also thine, 
The foe shall never part us. 



FREUT EUCH, LIEBEN CHRISTEN G'MEIN. H9 

" I know that he will shed My blood, 

And take My life away; 
But I will bear it for thy good, 

Only believe away : 
Death swallows up this life of Mine, 
My innocence — all sins of thine, 

And so art thou delivered. 

" And when I rise to heaven above, 

Where is my Father's home, 
I still will be thy Lord in love, 

And bid my Spirit come 
To solace thee in every woe, 
To teach thee Me aright to know, 

And into truth to guide thee. 

" And even as I have done and said, 

So shalt thou say and do, 
That so God's kingdom may be spread, 

And He have honor due : 
And this last counsel give I thee, 
From men's additions keep thou free 

The treasure I have left thee." 



120 GRACE. 



(J. C. Jacobi, " Psalmodia Germanica," I, p. 30.) 

Now come, ye Christians all, and bring, 
With cheerful hearts and voices, 

Due praises to our God and King, 
Whose holy court rejoices 

To see the wonders of this love, 

Which brought Redemption from above, 
Beyond our expectation. 

As Satan's slave in sin I lay, 

Despairing of salvation, 
Original sin had got the sway, 

God was my detestation ; 
And sinking deeper by degrees 
Into this desperate disease, 

I must be lost forever. 

Good works would here not serve my turn, 
They could produce no merit ; 

Rebellion made my free-will burn 
Against the Holy Spirit. 

My anguish drove me to despair, 

Death was my mirror everywhere, 
The presage of hell-torment. 



FREUT EUCH, LIEBEN CHRISTEN G'MEIN. 121 

But, O unutterable grace, 

That pitied my condition, 
Th' eternal Son would take my place, 

To save me from perdition ; 
Down to this world the Saviour flies, 
Stretches His willing arms, and dies 

For me a wretched sinner. 

Justice was pleased to bruise the God, 

And author of salvation, 
To pay its wrongs with heavenly blood, 

And quench hell and damnation ; 
Infinite racks and pangs He bore, 
And rose ; the law could ask no more 

Of this my Mediator. 

Thus the Redeemer spake to me, 

In smiling condescension : 
" I wholly give Myself for thee 

To unveil this My intention, 
That I am thine with all I have, 
And purchased by the cross and grave, 

No foe shall disunite us. 

"I'll rise again, retake the crown 
And glory of my Father, 



122 GRACE. 



From thence I'll send my Spirit down 

To bring my saints together; 
His comforts shall abide with thee, 
To strengthen thy belief in Me, 
And seal thy sure salvation. 

" What I have suffered, done, and taught, 

Shall be thy rule of action, 
That all thy neighbors may be brought 

To follow My direction. 
Beware of other guides of faith, 
Stick to My self-denying path, 

The safest way to glory." 



Psalm 128. Beati omnes qui timent Deum. 
Wohl dem, der in Gottesfurcht stent. 

(R. Massie, " Spiritual Songs," p. 51.) 

Happy the man who feareth God, 
Whose feet His holy ways have trod ; 
Thine own good hand shall nourish thee, 
And well and happy shalt thou be. 



WOHL DEM, DER IN GOTTESFURCHT STEHT. 123 

Thy wife shall, like a fruitful vine, 
Fill all thy house with clusters fine ; 
Thy children all be fresh and sound, 
Like olive-plants thy table round. 

Lo ! to the man these blessings cleave 
Who in God's holy fear doth live ; 
From him the ancient curse hath fled 
By Adam's race inherited. 

Out of Mount Zion God shall send, 
And crown with joy thy latter end ; 
That thou Jerusalem mayst see 
In favor and prosperity. 

He shall be with thee in thy ways, 
And give thee health and length of days; 
Yea, thou shalt children's children see, 
And peace on Israel shall be. 

Amen. 



124 GRACE. 

Ps. 67. Deus misereatur nostri. 
Es wolt uns Gott genaedig sein. 

(Mills, " Horse Germanieae," p. 201.; 

To us, O God, impart Thy grace, 

Thy Holy Spirit sending ; 
So cheer us with Thy smiling face, 

A pledge of life unending, 
That we may learn what Thou hast wrought, 

What best will meet Thy pleasure ; 
Then, of the bliss by Jesus bought, 

To heathens teach the measure, 
That the}^, too, may enjoy it. 

The heathen, from their idols free, 

Their thanks and honors bringing, 
And all the world, shall yet in Thee 

Rejoice, with rapture singing — 
" Thou art our Ruler here below, 

And sin no more shall lead us ; 
Thy word the path of peace will show, 

With bread of life will feed us, — 
And bring our souls to heaven." 



ES WOLT UNS GOTT GENJEDIG SE1N. 125 

when will all the nations learn 

To praise Thee by well-doing ! 
The earth to Thee from error tnrn, 

Her tribes Thy grace pursuing ! 
Now bless us, Father and the Son, 

And bless us, Holy Spirit ! 
By all to Thee be honors done, 

As well Thy favors merit ! 
Amen, Lord ! Hallelujah ! 




ato. 



Mensch wiilt du leben seliglich. 

(R. Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 53.) 

This is the shorter paraphrase of the Decalogue. 

Wilt thou, man, live happily, 
And dwell with God eternally, 
The ten commandments keep, for thus 
Our God himself commanded us. 
Kyrie eleison. 

I am the Lord and God ! take heed 
No other god doth thee mislead ; 
Thy heart shall trust alone in me, 
Yea, mine own kingdom thou shalt be. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Honor my Name in word and deed, 

And call on Me in time of need : 

Keep holy, too, the Sabbath day, 

That work in thee I also may. 

Kyrie eleison. 
(126) 



DIESS SIND DIE HEILIGEN ZEHN GEBOT. 127 

Obedient always, next to Me, 
To father and to mother be : 
Kill no man ; even anger dread : 
Keep undefiled thy marriage bed. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Steal not, nor do thy neighbor wrong 
By bearing witness with false tongue : 
Thy neighbor's wife desire thou not, 
Nor grudge him aught that he hath got. 
Kyrie eleison. 



Diess sind die heiligen zehn Gebot. 

(R. Massie, " Spiritual Songs," p. 57.) 

This is the larger form of the ten commandments. 

That men a godly life might live, 
God did these ten commandments give 
By His true servant Moses, high 
Upon the mount of Sinai. 

Kyrie eleison. 



128 LAW. 

I am th}- God and Lord alone, 
No other God besides Me own ; 
Put thy whole confidence in Me, 
And love Me in sincerity. 

K\ r rie eleison. 

By idle word and speech profane 
Take not My holy name in vain ; 
And praise not aught as good and true 
But what God doth both say and do. 
K/yrie eleison. 

Hallow the day which God hath blest, 
That thou and all thy house may rest ; 
Keep hand and heart from labor free, 
That God may have His work in thee. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Give to thy parents honor due, 
Be dutiful, and loving too ; 
And help them when their strength decays ; 
So shall God give thee length of days. 
Kyrie eleison. 



DIESS SIND DIE HEILIGEN ZEHN GEBOT. 129 

Harbor no hatred, nor ill will, 
Lest bate breed anger, and thou kill ; 
Be patient and of gentle mood, 
And to thine enemy do good. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Be faithful to thy marriage vows, 
Thy heart give only to thy spouse ; 
Keep thy life pure, and lest thou sin 
Use temperance and discipline. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Steal not ; oppressive acts abhor ; 
Nor wring their life-blood from the poor ; 
But open wide thy loving hand 
To all the needy in the land. 

Kyrie eleison. 

Bear not false witness, nor belie 
Thy neighbor by foul calumny ; 
Defend his innocence from blame, 
And hide with charity his shame. 
Kyrie eleison. 



9 



130 LAW. 

Thy neighbor's wife desire thou not, 
His house, nor aught that he hath got ; 
But wish that his such good may be 
As thine own heart doth wish for thee. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Grod these commandments gave, therein 
To show thee, son of man, thy sin, 
And make thee also well perceive 
How unto God man ought to live. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Help us, Lord Jesus Christ, for we 
A Mediator have in Thee ; 
Without Thy help our works are vain, 
And merit only endless pain. 
Kyrie eleison. 




\t f$t**&. 



Wir glauben all an einen Gott. 

(" Choral Book," Appendix VI.) 

We all believe in One true God, 

Maker of the earth and heaven ; 
The Father, who to us in love 

Hath the claim of children given. 
He in soul and body feeds us, 

All we want His hand provides us ; 
Thro' all snares and perils leads us, 

Watches that no harm betides us ; 
He cares for us, cares for us by day and night, 
All things are governed by His might. 



And we believe in Jesus Christ, 
His only Son, our Lord, possessing 

An equal Godhead, throne and might, 

Thro' whom descends the Father's blessing ; 

( 131 ) 



132 THE CREED. 



Conceived of the Holy Spirit, 
Born of Mary, virgin mother ; 

That lost man might life inherit 
Made true man, our elder Brother, 

Was crucified for sinful men, 

And raised by God to life again. 

And we confess the Holy Ghost, 

Who from Son and Father fioweth, 
The Comforter of fearful hearts, 

Who all precious gifts bestoweth ; 
In whom all the Church hath union, 
Who maintains the saints' communion ; 
We believe our sins forgiven, 
And that life with God in heaven, 
When we are raised again, shall be 
Our portion in eternity. 





be lorir's wtaytv. 



Vater unser im Himmelreich. 

A pious man in Venice, upon reading Luther's 
Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer, without knowing 
its author, is said to have cried out, " Blessed is the 
womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast 
sucked!" 

(C. Winkworth, "Choral Book for England," No. 114.) 

Our Father, thou in heaven above, 
Who biddest us to dwell in love, 
As brethren of one family, 
And cry for all we need to Thee ; 
Teach us to mean the words we say, 
And from the inmost heart to pray. 



All hallowed be Thy name, Lord ! 
Oh, let us firmly keep Thy Word, 

( 133 



134 THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

And lead, according to Thy name, 
A holy life, untouched by blame ; 
Let no false teachings do us hurt, — 
All poor deluded souls convert. 

Thy kingdom come ! Thine let it be 
In time, and through eternity ! 
Oh, let thy Holy Spirit dwell 
With us, to rale and guide us well; 
From Satan's mighty power and rage 
Preserve Thy Church from age to age. 

Thy will be done on earth, O Lord, 
As where in heaven Thou art adored ! 
Patience in time of grief bestow, 
Obedience true through weal and woe ; 
Strength, tempting wishes to control 
That thwart Thy will within the soul. 

Give us to-da} r our daily bread, 
Let us be duly clothed and fed, 
And keep Thou from our homes afar 
Famine and pestilence and war, 
That we may live in godly peace, 
Unvexed by cares and avarice, 



VATER UNSER IM HIMMELREICH. 135 

Forgive us our sins, that they no more 
May grieve and haunt us as before,. 
As we forgive their trespasses 
Who unto us have done amiss ; 
Thus let us dwell in charity, 
And serve each other willingly. 

Into temptation lead us not ; 

And when the foe doth war and plot 

Against our souls on every hand, 

Then, armed with faith, oh may we stand 

Against him as a valiant host, 

Through comfort of the Holy Ghost. 

Deliver us from evil, Lord ! 
The clays are dark and foes abroad ; 
Redeem us from the second death ; 
And when we yield our dying breath, 
Console us, grant us calm release, 
And take our souls to Thee in peace. 

Amen ! that is, So let it be ! 
Strengthen our faith and trust in Thee, 



136 THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

That we may doubt not, but believe 
That what we ask we shall receive ; 
Thus in Thy name and at Thy word 
We say Amen, now hear us, Lord ! 



(J. C. Jacobi, " Psalmodia Germanica," I, p. 65.) 

Our Father ! who from heaven above 
Bid'st us to live in constant love 
As brethren, and in truth to join 
T' adore this Father-Name of thine, 
Grant we may always pray to Thee 
In spirit and sincerity. 

Thy Name be hallowed everywhere ; 
Make us to read Thy Word with care, 
That we may live accordingly, 
And praise Thy sacred Name on high ; 
From all false doctrine, self-conceit, 
Thy poor deluded flock retreat. 

Thy kingdom come, thy grace be nigh, 
O'er all the earth, o'er all the sky ; 



VATER UNSER IM HIMMELREICH. . 137 

The Holy Spirit of thy grace 
Bestow His gifts on human race ; 
From Satan's woful tyranny 
Keep all Thy churches safe and free. 

Thy will be done in earth, as well 
As 'tis in heaven, where angels dwell ; 
In joy and sorrow make our mind 
Be cheerfully to Thee resigned : 
All motions of our flesh and blood 
Subdue, when Thy will is withstood. 

Give us this day our daily bread, 
And what we want for present need ; 
From sad contention, war, and strife, 
From dearth and pest, remove our life. 
Preserve our peace and liberty ; 
From filthy lucre make us free. 

Forgive us all our trespasses, 
That are so great and numberless ; 
And make us willing to forgive 
Our enemies with whom we live : 
Let mutual love and charity 
Unite Thy Christian family. 



138 THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

Into temptation lead us not 
When Satan lays his secret plot, 
But lend us Thine almighty hand 
To fight with courage, and withstand ; 
That, armed with faith as with a shield, 
We may at last obtain the field. 

At length begin to set us free 
From sin and all its misery ; 
Redeem us from eternal death, 
Thy grace relieve our dying breath : 
A blessed exit be our doom, 
To bring us V our eternal home. 

For Thine 's the power and majesty, 

Now, and to all eternity : 

Increase our faith and guide our ways, 

And give us grace Thy name to praise : 

According to Thy sacred Word, 

A blessed Amen us afford. 



|Jra|>er* 

Verleih uns Frieden gnaediglich. 

(E. Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 68.) 

In these our days so perilous, 
Lord, peace in mercy send us ; 
No God but Thou can fight for us, 
No God but Thou defend us, 
Our only God and Saviour. 




( 139) 



aptism. 



A SPIRITUAL SONG CONCERNING OUR HOLY BAPTISM. 



Christ unser Herr zum Jordan ging. 

(R. Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 69.) 

To Jordan came our Lord the Christ, 

To do God's pleasure willing, 
And there was by Saint John baptized, 

All righteousness fulfilling ; 
There did He consecrate a bath 

To wash away transgression, 
And quench the bitterness of death 

By His own blood and passion ; 
He would a new life give us. 

So hear ye all, and well perceive 
What God doth call Baptism, 
And what a Christian should believe 

Who error shuns and schism : 
(140) 



CHRIST UNSER HERR ZUM JORDAN GING. 141 

That we should water use, the Lord 

Declareth it His pleasure ; 
ISTot simple water, but the Word 

And Spirit without measure ; 
He is the true Baptizer. 

To show us this, He hath His Word 

With signs and symbols given ; 
On Jordan's banks was plainly heard 

The Father's voice from heaven : 
"This is my well-beloved Son, 

In whom my soul delighteth; 
Hear Him." Yea, hear Him every one 

Whom He himself inviteth, 
Hear and obey His teaching. 

In tender manhood Jesus straight 

To holy Jordan wendeth ; 
The Holy Ghost from heaven's gate 

In dovelike shape descendeth ; 
That thus the truth be not denied, 

Nor should our faith e'er waver, 
That the Three Persons all preside 

At Baptism's holy laver, 
And dwell with the believer. 



142 BAPTISM. 



Thus Jesus his disciples sent : 

Go, teach ye every nation, 
That lost in sin they must repent, 

And flee from condemnation : 
He that believes and is baptized, 

Obtains a might}' blessing ; 
A new-born man, no more he dies, 

Eternal life possessing, 
A joyful heir of heaven. 

Who in this mercy hath not faith, 

Nor aught therein discerneth, 
Is yet in sin, condemned to death, 

And fire that ever burneth ; 
His holiness avails him not, 

Nor aught which he is doing ; 
His birth-sin brings it all to naught, 

And maketh sure his ruin ; 
Himself he cannot succor. 

The eye of sense alone is dim, 
And nothing sees but water ; 

Faith sees Christ Jesus, and in Him 
The lamb ordained for slaughter ; 



CHRIST UNSER HERR ZUM JORDAN OING. 143 

She sees the cleansing fountain red 
With the dear blood of Jesus, 

Which from the sins inherited 
From fallen Adam frees us, 

And those we have committed. 




tytntnntt. 



A PARAPHRASE OF THE 130th PSALM. 



Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir. 

FIRST VERSION. 

By C. Winkworth, "Lyra Germanica," First Series, p. 65. 

Out of the depth I cry to Thee, 
Lord God, oh hear my prayer ! 

Incline a gracious ear to me, 
And bid me not despair : 

If Thou rememberest each misdeed, 

If each should have its rightful meed, 
Lord, who shall stand before Thee ? 



Lord, through Thy love alone we gain 

The pardon of our sin ; 
The strictest life is but in vain, 

Our works can nothing win ; 
( 144) 



A US TIEFER NOTH SCHREI ICH Z,U DIE. 145 

That none should boast himself of aught, 
But own in fear Thy grace hath wrought 
What in him seemeth righteous. 

Wherefore my hope is in the Lord, 

My works I count but dust ; 
I build not there, but on His Word, 

And in His goodness trust. 
Up to His care myself I yield, 
He is my tower, my rock, my shield, 

And for His help I tarry. 

And though it tarry till the night, 

And round again to morn, 
My heart shall ne'er mistrust Thy might, 

Nor count itself forlorn. 
Do thus, ye of Israel's seed, 
Ye of the Spirit born indeed, 

Wait for }^our God's appearing. 

Though great our sins and sore our wounds, 

And deep and dark our fall, 
His helping mercy hath no bounds, 

His love surpasseth all. 
10 



146 REPENTANCE. 



Our trusty, loving Shepherd he, 

Who shall at last set Israel free 

From all their sin and sorrow. 



SECOND VERSION. 
(J. C. Jacobi, " Psalinodia Germauica," I, p. 61.) 

Out of the deeps of long distress, 

The borders of despairing, 
I send my cries to seek Thy grace, 

My groans to move Thy hearing; 
Great God ! should Thy severer eye 
Mark and revenge iniquity, 

Who could abide Thy judgment ? 

But Thou hast built the throne of grace 
Free to dispense Thy favor, 

That sinners may approach Thy face 
To ease their mournful labor ; 

For pardon is with Thee our God, 

Thy Son has sealed it with His blood ; 
This is our only refuge. 



AUS TIEFER NOTH SCHREI ICH ZU DIR. 147 



In Thee alone I put my trust, 
And only plead Thy merit, 

For Thou art kind as well as just, — 
Thee I adore in spirit : 

Nor shall I trust Thy Word in vain, 

'Tis the relief from all my pain, 
When living or when dying. 

Just as the guards that keep the night 
Long for the rising morning, 

So wait I for Thy gracious light, 
Of which Thou gav'st me warning: 

Then let the sons of Israel wait 

On God before His holy gate 
Till He display His blessing. 

There 's full redemption at His throne, 
For loads of black transgression ; 

He pardons what our hands have done 
When Christ makes intercession : 

Great is His love and large his grace ; 

He turns our feet from sinful ways, 
And Israel shall be saved. 



148 REPENTANCE. 



THIRD VERSION. 

(Mills, "Horse Germanicae," p. 71.) 

From deep distress to Thee I pray, 

God, hear my entreaty ! 
Turn not Thy face from me away. 

But show Thy tender pity : 
As Judge, should Thou my deeds regard, 
In justice weighing due award, 

How could I stand the trial ? 

With Thee should merc}^ not prevail 

To show to man Thy favor, 
His every act his guilt would swell, — 

Yain were his best endeavor. 
His goodness in its utmost length 
Reveals his utter want of strength, — 

He must rel}' on mercy. 

On God alone, and on His grace, 

Can I securely rest me ; 
He sees nr^ heart, He heals distress, — 

To Him, then, why not trust me ? 
He owns a Father's name, and knows 
The full amount of human woes ; 

On Him be my reliance ! 



A US TIEFER NOTH SCHREI ICH ZU DIR. 149 

Should comfort seem afar to keep, 

I'll not sink down despairing ; 
They who in godly sorrow weep 

Shall find a gracious hearing: 
Thus Christians do, and they are blest 
In God, their confidence and rest, 

Their comfort and Redeemer. 

Many and great the sins I own, 
But greater God's free mercies : 

From wrath I flee to His dear Son, 
Who bore for me its curses : 

And He will be my Shepherd, too, 

With all my troubles guide me through, 
To rest with Him in glory. 



FOURTH VERSION. 
(Moravian Hymn-Book, No. 240, abr.) 

Out of the deep I cry to Thee, 
My God, with heart's contrition ; 

Bow down Thine ear in grace to me, 
And hear Thou my petition : 



150 REPENTANCE. 



For if in judgment Thou wilt try 
Man's sin and great iniquity, 
Ah, who can stand before Thee ? 

To gain remission of our sin 

No work of ours availeth ; 
God's favor we may strive to win, 

But all our labor faileth; 
We're 'midst our fairest actions lost, 
And none 'fore Him of aught can boast : 

We live alone through mercy. 

Therefore my hope is in His grace, 

And not in nry own merit ; 
On Him my confidence I place, 

Instructed by His Spirit : 
His precious Word hath promised me 
He will my joy and comfort be ; 

Thereon is my reliance. 

Though sin with us doth much abound, 
Yet grace still more aboundeth ; 

Sufficient help in Christ is found 
Where sin most deeply wouncleth : 

He the good Shepherd is indeed, 

Who His lost sheep doth seek and lead 
With tender love and pity. 



\t pUrb's Supper, 



Jesus Christus, unser Heiland der von tins. 

(R. Massie, " Spiritual Songs," p. 75.) 

Christ, who freed our souls from clanger, 
And hath turned away God's anger, 
Suffered pains no tongue can tell, 
To redeem us from pains of hell. 

That we never might forget it, 
Take my flesh, He said, and eat it, 
Hidden in this piece of bread, 
Drink my blood in this wine, He said. 

Whoso to this board repaireth, 
Take good heed how he prepareth ; 
Death instead of life shall he 
Find, who cometh unworthily. 

( 151) 



152 THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

Praise the Father, God in heaven, 
Who such dainty food hath given, 
And for misdeeds thou hast done 
Gave to die His beloved Son. 

Trust God's Word ; it is intended 
For the sick who would be mended ; 
Those whose heavy-laden breast 
Groans with sin, and is seeking rest. 

To such grace and mercy turneth 
Every soul that truly mourneth ; 
Art thou well ? Avoid this board, 
Else thou reapest an ill reward. 

Lo ! He saith himself, " Ye weary, 
Come to me and I will cheer ye ;" 
Needless were the leech's skill 
To the souls that be strong and well. 

Couldst thou earn thine own salvation, 
Useless were my death and passion ; 
Wilt thou thine own helper be ? 
No meet table is this for thee. 



GOTT SEI GELOBET UND GEBENEDEIET. 153 

If thou this believest truly, 

And confession makest duly, 

Thou a welcome guest art here, 

This rich banquet thy soul shall cheer. 

Sweet henceforth shall be thy labor, 
Thou shalt truly love thy neighbor, 
So shall he both taste and see 
What thy Saviour hath done in thee. 



Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet. 

(R. Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 78.) 

Strophe. 
May God be praised henceforth and blest 

forever ! 
Who, Himself both gift and giver, 
With His own flesh and blood our souls 

doth nourish; 
May they grow thereby and flourish ! 
Kyrie eleison. 



154 THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

Antistrophe. 
By Thy holy body, Lord, the same 
Which from Thine own mother Mary came ; 
By the drops which Thou didst bleed, 
Help us in the hour of need ! 

Kyrie eleison. 

Strophe. 
Thou hast to death Thy holy body given, 
Life to win for us in heaven ; 
By stronger love, dear Lord, Thou couldst 

not bind us, 
Whereof this should well remind us. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Antistrophe, 
Lord, Thy love constrained Thee for our good 
Mighty things to do by Thy dear blood ; 
Thou hast paid the debt we owed, 
Thou hast made our peace with God. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Strophe. 
May God bestow on us His grace and blessing, 
That, His holy footsteps tracing, 



QOTT SEI GELOBET UND GEBENEDEIET. 155 

We walk as brethren dear in love and nnion, 
Nor repent this sweet communion. 
Kyrie eleison. 

Antistrophe. 
Let not us the Holy Ghost forsake ; 
May He grant that we the right way take ; 
That poor Christendom may see 
Days of peace and unity. 

Kyrie eleison. . 




tnt^. 



Mitten wir im Leben sind. 

This hymn is one of those founded on a more 
ancient hymn of Notker, a learned Benedictine of 
St. Gall, who died in 912. The original has only 
one verse, and runs thus : 

11 Media vita in morte sumus. 
Quern quserimus adjutorem 
Nisi te, domine? 
Qui pro peccatis nostris 
Juste irasceris. 
Sancte deus, sancte fortis, 
Sancte et misericors salvator : 
Amarse morti ne tradas nos." 

Luther, however, enlarged it, in the form as it is 
found in German hymn-books. Notker is said to 
have composed it while watching some workmen 
who were building the bridge of Martinsbruck at 
the peril of their lives. It was soon set to music, 
and became universally known ; indeed, it was used 
as a battle-song, until the custom was forbidden on 
account of its being supposed to exercise magical 
( 156) 



MITTEN WIR IM LEBEN SIND. 157 

influences. In a German version it formed part of 
the service for the burial of the dead as early as the 
thirteenth century, and is still preserved, in an un- 
metrical form, in the burial service of the Episcopal 
Church. 

(Winkworth, " Lyra Germanica," I, p. 235.) 

In the midst of life, behold 
Death has girt us round ; 
Whom for help then shall we pray, 

Where shall grace be found ? 
In Thee, Lord, alone ! 
We rue the evil we have done, 
That Thy wrath on us hath drawn. 
Holy Lord and God ! 
Strong and holy God ! 
Merciful and holy Saviour ! 
Eternal God ! 
Sink us not beneath 
Bitter pains of endless death. 

Kyrie eleison 1 

In the midst of death the jaws 

Of hell against us gape ; 
Who from peril dire as this 

Openeth us escape ? 



158 DEATH. 



>Tis Thou, Lord, alone ! 
Our bitter suffering and our sin 
Pity from Tirv mercy win. 

Holv Lord and God ! 

Strong and holy God ! 
Merciful and holy Saviour! 

Eternal God ! 
Let us not despair 
For the fire that burnetii there. 

Kyrie eleison ! 

In the midst of hell our sins 

Drive us to despair ; 
Whither shall we flee from them ? 

Where is refuge, where ? 
In Thee, Lord Christ, alone ! 
For Thou hast shed Thy precious blood, 
All our sins Thou makest good. 
Holy Lord and God ! 
Strong and holy God ! 
Merciful and holy Saviour! 
Eternal God! 
Let us never fall 
From the true faith's hope for all. 

Kyrie eleison ! 



MIT FRIED UND FREUD FAHR ICH DAHIN. J 59 

Mit Fried und Freud fahr ich dahin. 

[C Winkworth, "Christian Singers of Germany," p. 114.) 

In peace and ]oj I now depart, 

According to God's will ; 
For full of comfort is my heart, 

So calm and still. 
So cloth God his promise keep. 
And death to me is but a sleep. 

'Tis Christ has wrought this work for me ; 

Thy dear and only Son, 
Whom Thou hast suffered me to see, 

And made Him known 
As our Help when woes are rife, 
And e'en in death itself our Life. 

For Thou in mercy unto all 

Hast set this Saviour forth, 
And to His kingdom Thou dost call 

The whole sad earth, 
Through Thy blessed, wholesome Word, 
That now in every place is heard. 



160 



DEATH. 



He is the Hope, the saving Light, 
That heathen nations need ; 

And those who know Thee not aright 
Will teach and lead ; 

While His Israel's joy He is, 

His people's glory, praise, and bliss. 




rats** 



Jesaja, dem Propheten, das geschah. 

Isaiah 6 : 1-4. 
(R. Massie, " Spiritual Songs," p. 85.) 

These things the seer Isaiah did befall : 
In spirit he beheld the Lord of all 
On a high throne, raised up in splendor bright, 
His garment's border filled the choir with light. 
Beside Him stood two seraphim, which had 
Six wings', wherewith they both alike were clad : 
With twain they hid their shining face, with twain 
They hid their feet as with a flowing train, 
And with the other twain they both did fly. 
One to the other thus aloud did cry, — 
" Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth ! 

Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth ! 

Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth ! 

His glory filleth all the trembling earth." 
With the loud cry' the posts and thresholds shook, 
And the whole house was filled with mist and smoke. 

11 ( 161 ) 



i*itm. 



Herr Gott, dich loben wir. 

This hymn Luther translated from the Latin of 
St. Ambrose. Mr. Saunders, in his Evenings with 
the Sacred Poets, p. 33, sa} r s, "that according to 
tradition, this grand anthem gushed forth in sudden 
inspiration from the lips of Ambrose as he baptized 
Augustine ; or other authorities, who reject the 
legend, believe it to have sprung from an earlier 
Oriental hymn. If so, might it not possibly have 
formed part of the worship of the primitive Chris- 
tians, who, in the time of Pliny, ' met before dawn, 
to sing hymns to Christ as God?' (Carmenque 
Christo, quasi Deo ! lib. x.) That same ' Te Deum' 
has accompanied many a martyr to the stake in 
Flanders, Bavaria, German}^ England, and else- 
where. It was the English Bishop Fisher's farewell 
as he stood beside the block. Once it was lifted up 
where no lesser hymn would have been fitting, — 
when Columbus discovered the first gray outline of 
( 162 ) 



HERR GOTT, DICH LOBEN WIR. 163 

the New World, and 'the crew threw themselves 
into each others' arms, weeping for joy I' There is 
an old custom still perpetuated at Magdalen Col- 
lege, Oxford, at the dawn of May Day, when the 
1 Te Deum ' is sung in the original Latin, from the 
tower of the college.' 7 

(Moravian Hymn-Book, No. 554.) 

Lord God, thy praise we sing, 

To Thee our thanks we bring; 

Both heaven and earth do worship Thee, 

Thou Father of eternity : 

To Thee all angels loudly cry, 

The heavens and all the powers on high : 

Cherubs and seraphs Thee proclaim, 

And cry thrice holy to Thy name : 

Holy is our Lord God, 

Holy is our Lord God, 

Holy is our Lord God, 

The Lord of Sabaoth ! 

With splendor of Thy glory spread 
Are heaven and earth replenished ; 
The apostles' glorious company, 
The prophets' fellowship praise Thee ; 



164 THE TE DEUM. 



The noble and victorious host 
Of martyrs make of Thee their boast : 
The holy Church in every place 
Throughout the earth exalts Thy praise. 
Thee, Father, God on heaven's throne, 
Thy only and beloved Son, 
The Holy Ghost, the Comforter, 
The Church doth worship and revere. 

Christ, Thou glorious King, we own 

Thee to be God's eternal Son : 

Thou, undertaking in our room, 

Didst not abhor the Virgin's womb : 

The pains of death o'ercome by Thee, 

Made heaven to all believers free. 

At God's right hand Thou hast Thy seat, 

And in Thy Father's glory great : 

And we believe the day 's decreed 

When Thou shalt judge the quick and dead. 

Promote, we pray, Thy servants' good, 
Redeemed -with Thy most precious blood ; 
Among Tlry saints make us ascend 
To glory that shall never end ; 



HERR GOTT, DICH LOBEN WIR. 165 

Thy people with salvation crown, 
Bless those, Lord, that are Thine own ; 
Govern Thy Church, and, Lord, advance 
Forever Thine inheritance. 

From day to day, O Lord, do we 
Highly exalt and honor Thee ; 
Thy name we worship and adore 
World without end for evermore : 
Vouchsafe, Lord, we humbly pray, 
To keep us safe from sin this day. 
O Lord, have mercy on us all; 
Have mercy on us when we call ; 
Thy mercy, Lord, to us dispense, 
According to our confidence : 
Lord, we have put our trust in Thee, 
Confounded let us never be. 

Amen. 




'.iBttllnneons. 



Erhalt uns Herr, bei deinem Wort. 

A CHILD'S SONG AGAINST THE TWO ARCH-ENEMIES OF CHRIST 
AND HIS HOLY CHURCH, — THE POPE AND THE TURK. 

(C. Winkworth, "Choral Book for England," No. 103.) 

Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word ; 
Curb those who fain by craft or sword 
Would wrest the kingdom from Thy Son, 
And set at naught all He hath done. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Thy power make known, 
For Thou art Lord of lords alone ; 
Defend Thy Christendom, that we 
May evermore sing praise to Thee. 

Comforter of priceless worth, 
Send peace and unity on earth ; 
Support us in our final strife, 
And lead us out of death to life. 
( 166 ) 



NUN TREIBEN WIR DEN PABST HERA US. 167 



Nun treiben wir den Pabst heraus. 

A SONG FOR THE CHILDREN, WHEREWITH THEY CAST OUT 
THE POPE IN MID-LENT. 

(Christian Examiner, 1860, p. 244.) 

We drive the Pope with iron rod 
From church of Christ and house of God, 
Where he has murderously ruled, 
And many precious souls befooled. 

Pack off, begone, apostate son ! 
Thou scarlet bride of Babylon ! 
Thou art the Beast and Antichrist, 
Whose lies have many a soul enticed. 

Thy bulls and thy decretals lie 
All sealed and hid from every eye, 
That robbed the world in God's own name, 
And put Christ's blood to open shame. 

The Romish Dagon 's lost his head ; 
The rightful Pope we take instead : 
'Tis Christ, the Rock, God's only Son, 
Whom His true Church is built upon. 



168 MISCELLANEOUS. 



High Priest o'er all is He, Lord Christ, 
Who on the cross was sacrificed ; 
His blood flowed freely for our sin, 
His wounds the true indulgence win. 

The Church obeys His Word's behest ; 
Him God the Father doth invest ; 
The Head of Christendom is He : 
Praised be His name eternally. 

Now summer-time will soon appear ; 
Christ send us all a peaceful year! 
Lord, save us from the Pope and Turk. 
And finish all Thy blessed work ! 



Ein neues Lied wir heben an. 

A SONG CONCERNING TWO CHRISTIAN MARTYRS BURNED AT 
BRUSSELS, IN 1523, BY THE SOPHISTS OF LOUVAIN. 

(R. Massie, "Spiritual Songs," p. 40.) 

By help of God I fain would tell 

A new and wondrous story, 
And sing a marvel that befell 

To His great praise and glory. 



EIN NEUES LIED WIR HEBEN AN. 169 



At Brussels in the Netherlands 

He hath His banner lifted, 
To show His wonders by the hands 

Of two youths, highly gifted 
With rich and heavenly graces. 

One of these youths was called John, 

And Henry was the other ; 
Rich in the grace of God was one, 

A Christian true his brother. 
For God's dear Word they shed their blood, 

And from the world departed 
Like bold and pious sons of God ; 

Faithful and lionhearted, 
They won the crown of martyrs. 

The old Arch-fiend did them immure, 

To terrify them seeking ; 
They bade them God's dear Word abjure, 

And fain would stop their speaking. 
From Louvain many Sophists came, 

Yersed deeply in the schools, 
And met together at the game ; 

The Spirit made them fools, — 
They could not but be losers. 



170 MISCELLANEOUS. 

Now sweet, now harsher tones they tried, 

In artifice abounding ; 
The youths did firm as rocks abide, 

The Sophists all confounding. 
The enemy waxed fierce in hate, 

And for their life-blood thirsted ; 
He fumed and chafed that one so great 

Should by two babes be worsted, 
And straightway sought to burn them. 

Their monkish garb from them they take, 

And gown of ordination ; 
The youths a cheerful Amen spake, 

And showed no hesitation. 
They thanked their God that by His aid 

They now had been denuded 
Of Satan's mock and masquerade, 

Whereby he had deluded 
The world with false pretences. 

Thus by the power of grace they were 
True priests of God's own making, 

Who offered up themselves e'en there, 
Christ's holy orders taking ; 



EIN NEUES LIED WIR HEBEN AN. 171 

Dead to the world, they cast aside 

Hypocrisy's sour leaven, 
That penitent and justified 

They might go clean to heaven, 
And leave all monkish follies. 

They then were told that the}^ must read 

A note which was dictated ; 
They straightway wrote their faith and creed, 

And not one jot abated. 
Now mark their heresy ! u We must 

In God be firm believers ; 
In mortal men not put our trust, 

For they are all deceivers ;" 
For this they must be burned ! 

Two fires were lit ; the youths were brought, 

But all were seized with wonder 
To see them set the flames at naught, 

And stood as struck with thunder. 
With joy they came in sight of all, 

And sang aloud God's praises ; 
The Sophists 7 courage waxed small 

Before such wondrous traces 
Of God's almighty finger. 



172 MISCELLANEO US. 



The scandal they repent, and would 

Right gladly gloss it over ; 
They dare not boast their deed of blood, 

But seek the stain to cover. 
They feel the shame within their breast, 

And charge therewith each other ; 
But now the Spirit cannot rest, 

For Abel 'gainst his brother 
Doth cry aloud for vengeance. 

Their ashes never cease to cry, 

The fires are ever flaming, 
Their dust throughout the world doth fly, 

Their murderers' shame proclaiming. 
The voices which with cruel hands 

They put to silence living, 
Are heard, though dead, throughout all lands 

Their testimony giving, 
And loud hosannahs singing. 

From lies to lies they still proceed, 

And feign forthwith a story 
To color o'er the murderous deed ; 

Their conscience pricks them sorely. 



EIN NEUES LIED WIR HE BEN AN 173 

These saints of God e'en after death 

They slandered, and asserted 
The youths had with their latest breath 

Confessed, and been converted, 
Their heresy renouncing. 

Then let them still go on and lie, 

They cannot win a blessing ; 
And let us thank God heartily, 

His Word again possessing. 
Summer is even at our door, 

The winter now hath vanished, 
The tender flowerets spring once more, 

And He, who winter banished, 
Will send a happy summer. 




INDEX OF FIRST GEKMAN LINES. 



Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein, 

Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir, . 

Christ lag in Todesbanden, . 

Christ unser Herr zum Jordan ging, 

Christum wir sollen loben schon, . 

Der du bist drei in Einigkeit, 

Diess sind die heiligen zehn Gebot, 

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, 

Ein neues Lied wir heben an, 

Erhalt uns Herr bei deinem Wort, 

Es spricht der Unweisen Mund, . 

Es wolt uns Gott gen'adig sein, 

Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, 

Gott der Vater wohn uns bei, 

Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet, . 

Herr Gott dich loben wir, 

Jesaja, dem Propheten, das geschah, 

Jesus Christus unser Heiland, der den Tod, 

Jesus Christus unser Heiland, der von uns, 

Komm Gott, Schopfer, Heiliger Geist. 

Komm heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, 

Mensch willt du leben seliglich, . 

Mit Fried und Freud fahr ich dahin, 

Mitten wir im Leben sind, . 



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176 



INDEX OF FIRST GERMAN LINES. 



Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist, 
Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gemein, 
Nun komm der Heiden heiland, . 
Nun treiben wir den Pabst heraus, 
Sie ist mir lieb die werthe Magd, . 
Vater unser im Himmelreich, 
Verleih uns Frieden gnadiglich, . 
Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, 
Yom Himmel kam der Engel Schaar, 
Was furcht'st du Feind Herodes sehr, 
War Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, 
Wir glauben all an einen Gott, 
Wohl dem der in Gottesfurcht steht, 



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INDEX OF FIEST ENGLISH LINES. 



A castle is our God, a tower, 
A fortress firm and steadfast rock, 
A fortress firm is God our Lord, . 
A mighty fortress is our God, 
A mountain fastness is our God, . 
A. safe stronghold our God is still, 
A. stronghold firm, a trusty shield, 
A. sure stronghold our God is He, . 
A tower of safety is our God, 
A tower of strength our God doth stand, 
All praise to Jesus' hallowed name, 
Blest Comforter, come, Lord our God, . 
By help of God I fain would tell, 
Christ who freed our souls from danger, 
Come, Holy Ghost, come, Lord our God, 
Come, Holy Ghost, Lord God, fulfil, 
Come, Holy Ghost, rule thou within, 
Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord, 
Come, Holy Spirite, most blessed Lorde, 
Creator Spirit, holy Dove, 
Dear Christian people, now rejoice, 
Dear is to me the holy Maid, 
From deep distress to Thee I pray, 
From heaven above to earth I come, 
God is our refuge in distress, 
God is our stronghold firm and sure, 

12 



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178 



INDEX OF FIRST ENGLISH LINES. 



Had God not come, may Israel say, 

Happy the man who feareth God, 

In peace and joy I now depart, 

In the bonds of death He lay, 

In the midst of life, behold, . 

In these our days so perilous, 

Jesus Christ to-day is risen, . 

Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold, 

Lord God, thy praise we sing, 

Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word, 

May God be praised henceforth, . 

Now crave we of the Holy Ghost, 

Now praise we Christ, the holy one, 

O thou Redeemer of our race, 

Our Father, thou in heaven above, 

Our God, a tower of strength is He, 

Our God, He is a fortress tower, . 

Our God, our Father, with us stay. 

Out of the deep I cry to Thee, 

Out of the deeps of long distress, . 

Out of the depth I cry to Thee, 

That men a godly life might live, 

The mouth of fools doth God confess, 

These things the seer Isaiah did befall, 

Thou only God, the Three in One, 

To Jordan came our Lord the Christ, 

To shepherds as they watched by night, 

To us, O God, impart Thy grace, . 

We all believe in one true God, 

We drive the Pope with iron rod. 

Why, Herod, unrelenting foe, 

Wilt thou, O man, live happily, . 



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